The Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress(NDC), John Dramani Mahama has said he shares a common interest with his opponent in resorting to the courts to challenge the results of an election.
He claimed he has the same belief in seeking justice at the court just as his opponent [Akufo-Addo] did while he sought to challenge the results of the 2012 elections.
Critics have appealed to the former President to concede defeat and ignore going to court to challenge the 2020 polls.
The 2020 flag-bearer for the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) Dr Henry Larty who doubles as the Secretary-General for the West African Association of Political Parties has expressed worry over Mr. Mahama’s unwillingness to concede defeat in the interest of peace just like some flag-bearers who have already conceded.
“Mahama is being pushed to do what he is doing, I have no idea of who is behind this; he wouldn’t want to do this at all. I may be wrong but I have a feeling that there is a caucus that is pushing him. You’ve lost the election, he shouldn’t go to court; it’s a waste of money.’’ he told Agoo FM in Kwahu.
Reacting to this in a televised message to Ghanaians after his party officials filed a petition on Wednesday, December, 30 to challenge the results declared by the EC, Mr Mahama said he stands on the same principles that his opponent, Akufo-Addo upheld when he went to court to challenge the 2012 election results.
He added that he’s been compelled to do this because of the EC’s clear failure to act in accordance with the constitution.
“Indeed in 2012 when the election was called in my favour my opponent challenged the results as was his right and he took the matter to court. Eight long months of an election petition filed from destroying our democracy rather reinforced our commitment to it and affirmed the strength of our institutions particularly the Judiciary…
“Some people have asked me what I hope to gain by challenging the results of this election. Let me tell you! I want perhaps the very same thing that my opponent wanted when in 2012 he challenged the results of that election, I want the removal of doubts, I want for us to know that our elections should be free fair and safe, and that we do not have to settle for a process that leaves us confused and with more questions than answers. I want a Ghana that our institutions of state can be held to account where we can stand on principle and demand transparency without the risk of losing our lives. When people lose their lives as seven people have done in the course of our election, we are moving backwards not forward, we’re unravelling the very fabric of our democracy, we are risking the loss of three decades worth of progress.”
Background
Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has petitioned the Supreme Court to annul the results of Election 2020.
Ex-Mahama further wants the court to order for a re-run of the polls hence the need to issue a fiat restraining President Akufo-Addo from holding himself as the President-elect.
Other reliefs
Other reliefs sought by the Former President include a declaration that the Chairperson of the EC, Mrs Jean Mensa, breached the 1992 constitution, specifically Article 63(3) with the declaration that she made on December 9, 2020.
Also, the former President is asking the apex court of the land to declare that based on the data contained in the declaration “ no candidate satisfied” the more than 50 percent threshold required to be declared a winner of the presidential poll.
Source: kasapafmonline.com
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Why then are you not calling your supporters to stop destroying properties and lives? If you are seeking referees from Supreme Court, then tell your supporters to keep from the streets and destructions. Your encouragement of protests is an irresponsible act.
It seems Mr Mahama is confused haha after 2020 election Mr Mahama made mentioned that He has won the 2020 election owing to this they should not subvert the will of the people but their petition exposed them haha no empirical evidential proof oh Mr Mahama what do you want again formal president? Stop asking your followers to demonstrate because you have no case thanks
Oh, NDC, upon your nine lawyers you couldn't identified the difference between 1st and 2nd respondents. How can John Mahama the desperation leader contest EC for another election? An indication of incompetent lawyers.
So one will ask ex president Mahama, why did he himself and the leadership of his party told their party supporters they won the elections and the Electoral Commission shortchanged them? No where in your petition did you claim to have won yet you tell your supporters that u won convincingly and as such they started demonstration all over disturbing public peace. Sir, its good you have chosen to seek redress at the supreme court but just go deeper into your thoughts and reflect on some of the things you said prior to the 2012 election petition filed against you and the Afari Gyan led commission and see if you did spoke well as a leader of this nation? Are you not being haunted by your own words that elections are won at the polling stations and not court? Well all i wish u is LUCK but not SUCCESS
Now Mr Mahama is alluded to be saying he himself did not get the 50.1 percent to win the presidential election. As Mr Mahama himself said in 2012 "elections cannot be rigged in Ghana '. Yes! Mr Mahama knows that Mr Akufu Addo won a free, transparent and a fair election. Period.
Hahahaaaa, then expect to hear what was told Akuffo Addo in 2012, after all what goes around comes around, the historians have a saying ' History repeats itself '. I must however commend you for your performance in the 2020 elections, I least expected you to perform that well. The NPP should ask themselves one simple question ' How come with all the pro poor policies Akuffo Addo's percentage declined from 53 in 2013 to 51 percent in 2016 whilst John Mahama's percentage appreciated from 44 in 2016 to 47 in 2020? Free SHS, free water, 50% cut in electricity prices, vehicles for Education directors and headmasters nationwide , ambulances for all constituencies, five interchanges at the same time nationwide, six new regions, nabco, nurses and teacher trainee allowances restored, president visits to all the regions yearly, subsidized fertilizer for rural farmers, salary increases for workers every year, you can add yours and yet NPP struggled to win and even with that the NDC believed they have been shortchanged 'The answer is not far fetched ie arrogance, empty pride, disrespect, greed, soon forgetting who and what they were before 2017, selfishness are the answers. Give a hungry man food with your left hand, he may take it because of hunger, but he moves away knowing you don't have respect for human dignity, that is the bane of the current NPP, the NDC can make any person somebody irrespective of your social, economic,ethnic or educational background, the NPP wants self made men/women, some people appeared from nowhere wanting to be MP's, where were they when the party was struggling and even looking for candidates to contest some constituencies? Sadly the party decided to impose or resource these 'all of a sudden entrants' against those who have been struggling all these years to represent the party, are voters animals you bought in the market to be moving them as and when you want. If you abandon your party supporters of old, tomorrow you will also become old and today's people will also forget you, same party.