“We must at all times place the national interest over and above any individual interest.”
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed concern over acts of lawlessness, violence, and thuggery attributed to supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) following the December 7 election.
Dr Bawumia who contested the December 7 election as the Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in a statement addressed to the President-elect John Dramani Mahama said “It is unfortunate that these unacceptable acts are occurring after an electoral process that has been widely recognized as credible. We must always prioritize the national interest above any individual interests.”.
The New Patriotic Party Leader is not enthused that John Mahama is not addressing the situation and urges him to take responsibility for maintaining peace and unity in the country.
He drew the attention of the President-elect to allegations of NDC supporters using violence at collation centres to influence results; reports of attacks on state institutions, public offices, and individuals, leading to closures and threats, and several others.
Dr Bawumia urged John Mahama to prioritize national interest, protect life and property, and uphold democratic values and cautioned that continued violence might lead to self-defence actions, risking the credibility of the peaceful election process.
DR MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA’S STATEMENT TO THE PRESIDENT-ELECT, JOHN MAHAMA
From Bawumia
H.E John Dramani Mahama Please Call Your Supporters To Order To Preserve The Peace And Unity of The Country.
I have noted with deep concern the embarrassing state of lawlessness and thuggery being unleashed on innocent Ghanaians and state institutions by members of the National Democratic Congress.
I wish to call on the President-elect, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, to exhibit statesmanship by reining in his supporters in order to preserve the peace and unity of the country. There have been many incidents of NDC members besieging collation centres with offensive weapons to forcibly declare NDC parliamentary candidates as winners of some parliamentary contests. We believe that this is not in keeping with the democratic culture we are all trying to nurture.
I am also saddened by the indifference and silence on the part of Mr. John Dramani Mahama and the NDC in relation to the violence and mayhem being unleashed on members of the NPP and other people perceived to be sympathisers. These wanton acts of lawlessness and brutality have been extended to state institutions and public offices, looting and stealing state properties in the process.
As a result of this, some public offices were forced to close for business. In a bizzare twist, these barbaric acts are being extended to private homes and properties of individuals, with some receiving death threats.
It is regrettable that these reprehensible acts are being perpetrated following an electoral process that has been widely touted as credible. We must at all times place the national interest over and above any individual interest.
I would like to remind President Mahama that he has won an election; he has not staged a coup detat. He has a responsibility to contribute to protect life and property.
I believe President Mahama and the NDC know that if these acts continue, people will be compelled to take reasonable steps to defend themselves. The last thing anybody wants is to mar the beauty of the successful elections that have just been concluded. Mr. Mahama and the NDC should demonstrate that they are not reluctant democrats.
Thank you.
Story: Janet Ayethe
