Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of manipulating the system to rob the people of Assin North of parliamentary representation.
The Akufo-Addo administration, he said, has gone to indecent lengths not only to rob but gain the advantage of what has essentially been a hung Parliament.
“The James Quayson case will go down in the history of Ghanaian democracy as one of the most brazen manipulations of our judicial system ever,” former President Mahama stated in a Facebook post on Friday.
“I firmly believe and trust the people of Assin North to right the wrong done to them and James Quayson by electing him once again as Member of Parliament for the constituency.”
Mr. Mahama joined the NDC Parliamentary candidate for the Assin North by-election, James Gyakye Quayson on Saturday, June 17, 2023, to support his campaign.
He termed his campaign in the area as justice and development for the people of the Assin North Constituency.
Mr. Mahama however thanked the people of Assin North for their continuous love and support shown James Quayson and the NDC, “despite the last minute vote buying gimmicks being employed by the NPP.”
James Quayson’s status as the MP for Assin North was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in May following a petition from Michael Ankomah Ninfah.
The by-election is scheduled for 27th June 2023.
Meanwhile, A High Court in Accra has directed that the criminal trial of James Gyakye Quayson be conducted on a daily basis beginning from Tuesday, June 20.
He is facing five criminal charges including perjury and forgery but had declared his intentions to contest the bye-elections set for June 27 following the Supreme Court judgment.
In court on Friday, June 16, his lawyers moved a motion for Mr. Quayson’s case to be continued after the June 20 hearing to immediately after June 27.
But, the request was rejected by the Court presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh.