Six Presidential candidates in the 2020 elections have admonished the flagbearer of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama to either accept the final results declared by the Electoral Commission or take the legal path in fighting the results.
This is following several allegations leveled against the EC by the leadership of the NDC, describing the pronounced presidential election results as a stolen verdict.
Following the rejection of the election results by the NDC, numerous protests have been held by some supporters of the party across the country to amplify its displeasure with the final results declared by EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa.
However, at a press conference, Hassan Ayariga of the All People’s Congress (APC), David Apasera of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Ivor Greenstreet of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Henry Herbert Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Kofi Akpaloo of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) and Independent Candidate, Kwame Asiedu Walker called for peace.
They indicated that the court is the only establishment that can overrule the final results declared by the EC.
“We are calling on John Mahama that although his refusal to accept the result is democratic, we implore him and his followers to take democratic processes. Yes, protest is a form of the democratic process but it is indeterminate in the sense that you may not know what may happen during the demonstration,” Mr. Walker told the media.
Hassan Ayariga on his part said allegations of abuse by the military would have to be investigated.
Earlier yesterday, some Civil Society Organisations including the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) have reiterated the need for the leadership of the NDC to seek legal redress following their unwillingness to accept the outcome of the 2020 general elections rather than taking to the streets.
Taking his turn, Mr Greenstreet said he deemed it appropriate that presidential candidates who contested in the election came together and add their voices to non-political organizations requesting for peace to reduce the tension brewing in the country.
“We want Ghana to be free and fair. So, we are making a call to all political party leaders, all presidential candidates, and all Ghanaians that we should exercise restraint and caution and know that it beholds on every Ghanaian to work for peace and that we need peace in Ghana,” David Apasera said during his speech.
On Wednesday, December 9, 2020, the Returning Officer of the 2020 polls declared the election results in favor of incumbent Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Since then, supporters of the main opposition NDC have taken to the street to express their unwillingness to accept the outcome. They have pledged to protest until the EC comes out with what they term as the “true will of the people”. They are of a strong conviction that the people of Ghana voted for candidate Mahama and as such, should have been declared the victor.
However, the leadership of the party are yet to come out publicly with the way forward on the matter.
