A storm of controversy erupted at the Nsawam-Adoagyiri Municipal Assembly on Monday, May 12, as Fummey Selorm Philibert—President Mahama’s nominee and two-time National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate—was confirmed as Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) under highly disputed circumstances.
What was meant to be a democratic confirmation process reportedly descended into chaos, with allegations of vote tampering, intimidation, and constitutional breaches drawing sharp criticism from opposition leaders and local stakeholders.
Selorm’s nomination stirred tensions long before the confirmation. As the NDC’s parliamentary candidate in both the 2020 and 2024 elections, he has been a central figure in one of Ghana’s fiercest political rivalries—consistently clashing with incumbent Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP Frank Annoh-Dompreh of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). His most recent electoral defeat ended in a court ruling affirming Annoh-Dompreh’s win.
This political backdrop set the stage for deep mistrust and suspicion surrounding his MCE nomination.
According to insiders, 42 members were expected to vote—16 aligned with the NPP and the remainder either affiliated with the NDC or serving as government appointees.
Tensions rose early when journalists were ordered out of the voting hall, raising concerns about transparency. Reports from observers suggest Selorm initially failed to meet the required endorsement threshold, receiving 20 “Yes” votes to 22 “No” votes.
However, before the Electoral Commission (EC) could officially announce the results, armed police—allegedly acting on instructions from high-level NDC officials and the Eastern Regional Minister—entered the venue. Eyewitnesses claim that under pressure, the EC’s returning officer abruptly declared Selorm confirmed, despite the reported vote outcome.
The declaration sparked immediate protests from NPP assembly members and MP Annoh-Dompreh, who described the process as “manipulated and unconstitutional.”
The situation further escalated with the presence of heavily armed security personnel and alleged sightings of known landguards around the assembly premises. Witnesses described an atmosphere of intimidation, with MP Annoh-Dompreh reportedly restricted briefly from entering the venue.
Though no violence was reported, observers claimed that the psychological pressure was palpable and influenced the outcome. Many described the EC’s final declaration as made “under duress.”
In a post-event statement, Annoh-Dompreh condemned the confirmation process as a “disgraceful episode,” accusing the Electoral Commission and National Security of facilitating a “stolen confirmation.”
Community leaders, traditional authorities, and former MCE Emmanuel Owusu Arthur, who were reportedly present, joined in condemning the events.
A strongly worded statement from local stakeholders read: “The EC began a smooth election, but after counting revealed the nominee had lost, ballot papers were allegedly snatched by NDC elements. In full view of police, National Security, and chiefs of Nsawam-Adoagyiri, the process was hijacked.”
Critics argue the incident violated democratic norms and the spirit of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which mandates impartial and transparent processes for confirming local government appointees.
Despite the controversy, NDC supporters celebrated Selorm’s confirmation with street festivities, reportedly mocking their NPP counterparts—a move that only deepened tensions. Critics have labelled the episode as an example of “mafia-style” political enforcement.
While Selorm’s confirmation now stands, the fallout has sparked a broader national conversation on political ethics, the integrity of local governance, and the use of state security in political processes.
Opposition figures have vowed to challenge the legitimacy of the confirmation, while local leaders warn of lasting damage to civic trust in Nsawam-Adoagyiri.
