We’ll Still Go On Protests Despite Supreme Court Petition – Mahama

Former President John Mahama has said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will not stop organising protests against the Electoral Commission for “rigging” the recently-held general elections in favour of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) despite a decision by the National Executive Committee of the biggest opposition party, to head to the  Supreme Court for redress over the same matter. 

Mr Mahama, in a post on his Facebook wall on Wednesday, 30 December 2020, said the NDC “has decided to proceed to the Supreme Court to contest the results of the rigged elections of December 7” following a meeting by its NEC on Tuesday in Accra. 

He added: “While in court, the NDC will continue all legitimate actions, including protests, to demand the enforcement of the rule of law and protection of life and property of the good people of Ghana”.  

A statement issued by the party on Tuesday and signed by General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, said: “The NEC decided that the NDC will contest the results of the rigged elections in the Supreme Court and other appropriate fora”. 

“In addition, the party will continue all legitimate actions, including protestations, to press home its demands for the government of President Akufo-Addo to enforce the rule of law and protect life and property in Ghana and, in particular, to take all necessary measures to bring to swift justice those responsible for the murders and injuries and destruction of properties before, during, and in the aftermath of the general elections”, the statement noted, adding: “The NDC's commitment to the upholding of the Constitution and respect for human rights shall remain unshaken”. 

Out of the 13,119,460 total valid votes cast in the recently-held 7 December 2020 polls, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) polled 6,730,587 votes, representing 51.302 per cent.

His closest contender, Mr Mahama, polled 6,213,182 votes, representing 47.359 per cent.

Mr Mahama and the NDC are, however, contesting the results.

They have described it as a “fictionalised” and “stolen”.

The party has been holding demonstrations across the country to drum home its claim that the election was flawed and skewed in favour of President Akufo-Addo and the NPP.

Some of the demonstrations have been violent.

The 1992 Constitution allows any aggrieved party a 21-day window to petition the apex court after a general election.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) availed itself of that opportunity after the 2012 election.