I mediated between Rawlings, Mahama estranged relationship – Amidu

Former President Jerry John Rawlings and President John Mahama had a tensed moment when the former had gone to Mahama’s house in 2007 to convince him to be running-mate to the late President John Mills.

This was disclosed by the former attorney general Martin Amidu in his latest epistle.

According to him, he worked behind the scenes to improve a seemingly difficult relationship between the then Member of Parliament and his boss.

“…When we eventually met close to the middle of January 2008, I learnt that things had not gone well on the former President’s visit to Mr. Mahama’s residence in my absence. Nonetheless my mission for going abroad had been accomplished. I learnt from the President abroad that Candidate Mills had himself visited and mentioned Mr. Mahama as a possibility which I confirmed as instructed by President Rawlings. It was subsequent to this return meeting that the former President bounced Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu’s name on me for the first time as a potential running mate. As I was not available to attend the burial and funeral ceremony of Madam Memunata, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu’s very respectful, irreplaceable and beautiful deceased wife on 30th December 2007, I had to look him up upon his return from Wa to explain my absence,” he wrote.

He continued: “I informed him about the mishap that had taken place when former President Rawlings had sort to hold a conversation by visiting Mr. Mahama’s residence and asked him as a senior brother to have a word with Mr. Mahama to render an apology to former President Rawlings. I also spoke to Mr. L. K. Molbila to team up with Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu to find a way of bringing harmony between the former President and Mr. Mahama. I relayed the same message to Hon. Moses Asagah (at the Veterans Club House opposite the Ghana Immigration Service) whom I learnt was a classmate to Mr. Mahama at Ghanasco”.

The ‘citizen vigilante’ as Amidu is popularly called, also praised his former boss Rawlings, saying his strength outweighs his weaknesses.

“I served former President Rawlings dedicatedly throughout the years of the Revolution and democracy because whatever his human faults and failings he was committed to and enforced ideals to which I was also committed. His pluses were more than the minuses”.