Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama has said that Ghanaians will not accept it if the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) decides to hold on to power if they lose the 2024 general elections.
He says the anger of Ghanaians will manifest aggressively if that happens.
“Let us win this election and the nincompoop says he will not hand over power, it is there that you will see the anger of Ghanaians,” he said on Monday, September 16.
On this same issue of handing over power, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin had also told President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that he would have no option but to hand over to whoever is elected as president by Ghanaians on December 7.
To him, President Akufo-Addo’s wish to hand over to a government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is an empty boast.
Speaking with TV3’s Beatrice Adu in an interview, Mr Bagbin said “The 2024 elections is unlike the 1992 elections or the 1996 or the 2000 elections. It is not also like 2004, 2008, or 2012 elections, neither is it like the 2016 and 2020. This is a critical election that will determine whether we are truly committed to the cause of multiparty constitutional democracy. Clearly this election is not just about the political parties, it is about the soul of our nation and so to have very experienced political leaders, particularly His Excellency the president who started politics at a very early age because of his parenthood and who was an activist in the CPP, grew up to be the president of Kwame Nkrumah Youth Forum, and after the 1966 elections joined the United Party, Progress Party, now NPP, to come out after all that experienced t say such a thing that is inciting people to violence. That even if we lost the election we will not hand it over, we will do all we can to hold on to power.
“That is unacceptable, I was really shocked to hear that because the president knows that the power he is wielding is not his, it is for the people, particularly the voters. the people voted and gave you that power, once they voted for you, on the 6th of January 2024 HE Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has no such power, he knows, so it is just an empty boast.”
It is recalled that President Akufo-Addo, while addressing supporters at a mini-rally in Doboro in the Greater Accra region following a visit to the premises of Blue Skies Limited, reiterated that he has no confidence in Mr. Mahama to develop the country.
“I can’t hand over to someone I defeated twice and who is not happy with everything I do; he will destroy the work that I have done.
“Vote for Dr. Bawumia; I have worked with him for the past seven and a half years; I have confidence in him; I know he can continue the good work,” he said.
