Former President John Dramani Mahama has issued a stern warning to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, making it clear that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will not stand by and allow any attempt to rig the 2024 general elections.
In a post on his Facebook page on Monday, April 29, Mr Mahama emphasized that it is the voters who hold the power to decide the outcome of the elections, not the president.
“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,” he wrote.
The former president also called out President Akufo-Addo for his remarks suggesting that he cannot be succeeded by someone he has defeated in previous elections. Mahama characterized this as arrogance and anti-democratic behavior that undermines the peaceful transition of power.
Mahama went on to remind President Akufo-Addo that ultimately, it is the votes of the Ghanaian people and the will of God that will determine his successor, reaffirming the importance of people’s power in shaping the nation’s future.
Drawing on past events such as the violence in Ayawaso West Wuogon and the state-sponsored killing of innocent citizens during the 2020 election, Mahama expressed concerns about the president’s capacity for manipulation and urged for a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process.
“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,” Mahama asserted.
As the 2024 elections draw nearer, it is clear that tensions are rising and both parties are gearing up for a highly contested race. It remains to be seen how the political landscape in Ghana will unfold in the coming months leading up to the crucial election.
