The Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP) Caucus in Parliament has threatened to withdraw its cooperation in the House and stage lawful protests if attacks on Electoral Commission (EC) officials, allegedly orchestrated by elements of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), persist.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Monday, January 20, 2025, the Caucus led by Jerry Ahmed Shuaib, MP for Weija-Gbawe and Second Minority Deputy Whip, expressed grave concerns about what he described as “widespread lawlessness and violence” following the declaration of President John Dramani Mahama as the winner of the recent election.
Shuaib accused senior NDC members, including Mr. Kofi Totobi Quakyi, Lt. Col. (Rtd) Gbevlo Lartey, and Malik Basintali, NDC Deputy Communications Officer, of emboldening party supporters to obstruct the EC’s constitutional duties.
“The latest is the violence unleashed on EC officials and properties by NDC thugs led by its regional organizer and inspired by party elders who should know better.”
“The NDC knows it has lost the Ablekuma North parliamentary election and has resorted to violence to prevent the EC from declaring the NPP’s candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh, as the winner,” Shuaib said.
The EC confirmed these claims in a statement, reporting invasions of its offices during collation, destruction of property, and threats to its staff. The Commission appealed to the Ghana Police Service for protection to complete the collation of results in Ablekuma North.
Stressing the NPP’s commitment to democracy, Shuaib noted that despite losing nearly 60 parliamentary seats in the elections by narrow margins, the party accepted the results peacefully. He referenced the Dome Kwabenya and Aowin constituencies as examples of the NPP’s respect for the democratic process.
“To President Mahama, we call on you to immediately call your party thugs to order. You cannot pretend to be unaware of this lawlessness and violence,” Shuaib urged.
The Minority also called on the Ghana Police Service, led by IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, to act decisively to ensure the safety of EC officials and uphold law and order.
“If these violent acts continue, we will be left with no choice but to protest through lawful means and withdraw cooperation in Parliament,” he warned.
The Minority Caucus called on all well-meaning Ghanaians to demand peace and urge the Electoral Commission to declare the results of the Ablekuma North parliamentary election without further interference.