By Seli Baisie
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has emphasized that President Akufo-Addo should remember that only the votes of the good people of Ghana and the will of the Almighty God will determine who succeeds him.
His remarks come in response to President Akufo-Addo’s statement asserting that “he cannot be succeeded by somebody he has defeated in previous elections.”
In a tweet on April 29, 2024, Mahama voiced his concerns about the state of democracy under the current administration led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
“The almost eight years of Nana Addo/Bawumia have done extensive damage to our democracy. As the clock ticks towards the end of his mandate, the President’s attitude and utterances give much cause for concern. His recent insistence that chiefs stand up to greet him should be a matter of serious consternation for political watchers,” former President Mahama tweeted.
“He also recently stated that he cannot be succeeded by somebody he has defeated in previous elections. This connotes an arrogant nature and smacks of an inherently anti-democratic personality, undermining the fundamental principle of the peaceful transition of power.
“Nana Addo should be reminded that only the votes of the good people of Ghana and the will of the Almighty God will determine who succeeds him. This reaffirms the people’s power in shaping our nation’s future,” Mr. Mahama asserted.
Reflecting on past events, including the violence witnessed in the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election and the tragic loss of innocent lives during the 2020 elections, Mahama expressed concerns about the potential for manipulation of the electoral process by the current administration.
“Suppose we are to draw lessons from Ayawaso West Wuogon and the state-sponsored killing of eight innocent citizens during the 2020 election; we know that this President is capable of anything and would not hesitate to trample on Ghana’s constitution to manipulate the process in favor of his preferred successor.”
He vowed that Ghanaians and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would not tolerate any attempts to undermine democracy.
“I can assure him that Ghanaians and the National Democratic Congress will not allow this to happen. As I advised him in Damongo on Saturday, the best legacy he can leave this country is to superintend over a peaceful, transparent, and credible election,” he concluded.
