Victor Smith: I Can’t See My Way Clear

Mr. Victor Smith, dismissed aide to former President Jerry Rawlings says he is yet to come to terms with the reasons behind his dismissal on Wednesday. Victor Smith was relieved of his duties yesterday through a text message from Mr. Rawlings instructing him to draft a press statement announcing his own dismissal. But Smith says he does not see his way clear writing his own dismissal letter, while his attempts at seeking audience with his former boss for explanations have been rebuffed. He told Joy News reporter, Seth Kwame Boateng that he has no idea what may have influenced the sudden decision, and is trying to get the involvement of very ‘senior elders’ in the party to intervene on his behalf. According to Victor Smith, the former President refused to grant him audience when he tried to seek explanations from him yesterday, and he was not sure if he would agree to meet with him today. He said should Rawlings, whom he described as his ‘boss and friend’ refuse to see him, then he would try and pick ‘a couple of bags’ out of the office and bid him farewell, unsure what would become of their friendship. Part of the dismissal text message from Rawlings suggested the move was to grant Smith the chance to continue his political career, ‘hopefully in Professor Mills’ office.’ But Smith who said he had suspected his dismissal was in the offing, explained that his surprise at the decision stemmed from the fact that his differences with the former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings over Professor Mills’ choice of running mate had been resolved. Smith was rumoured to have leaked to the state-owned Daily Graphic, a decision of Professor Mills, NDC flag bearer, to go with John Dramani Mahama as running mate, much against the choice of Mrs Rawlings who backed Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu, a lawyer and current Head of Legal and Constitutional Affairs of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Meanwhile the office of Prof. Mills has dissociated itself from the dismissal of Victor Smith. Alex Segbefia, campaign coordinator of the Mills office, told Joy News his outfit had nothing to do with the decision.