I’m not a politician – Lordina roars in self-defence

Since news broke during the week about how some concerned leading functionaries both within the National Democratic Congress party and government are grouchy on what they say is the first lady’s insatiable quest for directing almost every happening within government, Madam Lordina Mahama is reported to be lamenting over the accusation she said was without foundation.

Overly obsessed and shocked by the news, information reaching The Al-Hajj has it that, The First Lady, all day Tuesday October 22, was preoccupied with howling before aides, friends, operatives and almost every living creature within reach, about how her otherwise genuine resolve to help his hubby, the President has been gravely misconstrued as “calling the shot in the current government”.

“Throughout yesterday, (Tuesday) when the news broke, the only statement pouring out from the mouth of the First Lady was “what have I done, I only happened to be wife of a politician…I don’t have any ambition, I don’t want to be President, and I’m not interested in any political post.” Sources close to her told The Al-Hajj.

As if directly responding to her critics, whom a source said, the First Lady would have wished to meet and explain issues to, Madam Lordina vigorously debunked all allegations insisting that “I see my office as an avenue to do more of my humanitarian and charity works which I begun even before I became a 2nd lady, but if people take this to mean I’m overly ambitious and interfering in the work of government then I will stop so that they can be satisfied”

However, her critics say, they don’t have a problem with the charity and humanitarian works she is engaged in and indeed, paid glowing tribute to her for it, however, they claimed the First Lady’s persistent interference in government to the extent of determining who should be appointed to what position, who should be closer to the president and who should be on presidential travels, is what has been of grave concern to them.

Enriching their accusations against the First Lady, a veritable source at the seat of government gave an account of how some appointments the President had earmarked for some hardworking but competent and committed party people had been in abeyance because the first lady had guaranteed some people and has been exerting pressure on the husband.

“Let me tell you, it’s an open secret, even some of them (Ministers and Deputy Ministers) that Madam influenced their appointments are going round boastful of their ‘connection’ with her. That is worrying because their allegiance will be to her and not the President. That is what we are talking about and not her charity works.” One senior government member disclosed.

Indeed, it is not yet known whether NDC’s founder, Jerry Rawlings’ recent remarks “We voted for him John; is he we voted for, we didn’t vote for his friends or any member from his family. He must stamp his authority and deal with the bad nuts around him and the rot in government” to aides, has anything to do with the charges being leveled against the First Lady.

But sources close to Madam Lordina said, she has served notice to henceforth recoiled in her shells and not do anything that would be seen as meddling in the works of the husband and indeed, has also vowed to keep a low profile.

Since The Al-Hajj broke the story on Tuesday, many were those, including some government officials, operatives of the ruling party and even grass root supporters of the NDC who are lauding the paper for highlighting an issue bothering almost everybody in the party, but at the same time, some yes-men think otherwise and have also resorted to condemned us, insisting, even if it is true it needs not be let out.