President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has fervently dismissed claims that the New Patriotic Party intends to manipulate the upcoming Ejisu by-election.
Addressing the Ejisu Constituency voters, the President urged them to reject such allegations by the Independent Parliamentary Candidate, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi.
He emphasized that the NPP did not manipulate previous elections to secure Mr. Aduomi’s two-term tenure as Member of Parliament for the Ejisu Constituency on the party’s ticket and will therefore not do it to secure the party’s candidate’s victory.
The President also said he was utterly shocked by Mr. Adoumi’s decision to contest in the upcoming by-election as an Independent Candidate describing the move as murky.
“In 2008, when he [Mr. Adoumi] defeated the incumbent MP, who was even a Cabinet Minister, did the NPP rig the elections for him? So why does he now allege that we will rig the elections just because he has been defeated by someone else? Is this fair?”
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
The President also asked residents of Ejisu to reject claims by Mr. Aduomi that he spearheaded road infrastructure projects in the area emphasizing that he, the President, was in charge of all road projects across the country.
Moreover, he indicated that the NPP opposes any independent candidate whose background is unknown to it. He stated that the party is uncertain if influential figures are influencing the decisions of the said independent candidate to oppose the party. “We refuse to accept this. It’s not something we’ll tolerate” he added.
The President appealed to the electorates of the Ejisu Constituency to vote for the party’s candidate, Kwabena Boateng to enable the NPP to maintain the majority in Parliament. He noted that the party is facing challenges due to its current numbers in Parliament.
“Therefore, even if it’s just by one vote, we must secure a majority to fulfill our mandate. And that decisive vote rests with Kwabena Boateng”. – President Akufo-Addo
Electorates Urged Not To Vote For Aduomi
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia added that a vote for Kwabena Owusu Aduomi is a vote for the opposition, National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The NPP flagbearer, further called on constituents in Ejisu to prioritize continuity and progress by casting their votes for Kwabena Boateng during the by-election.
He also warned against splitting votes among independent candidates, suggesting that such actions could inadvertently benefit the opposition NDC and its leader, John Mahama.
As such, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia emphasized the significance of party loyalty and unity, cautioning against not supporting the NPP parliamentary candidate, Kwabena Boateng.
He further highlighted the party’s slim margin in Parliament, with the NPP holding 138 seats against the NDC’s 137, emphasizing the importance of every vote in securing a stronger mandate for the ruling party.
He argued that a vote for an independent candidate meant handing over power to NDC and John Mahama.
“The NPP government has improved the lives and the people of Ejisu than the NDC. Nothing really worked during the NDC era…MPs don’t sponsor projects; they lobby for projects from the government in power”.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
He also accused the opposition NDC of sponsoring the independent candidacy of Mr. Aduomi, arguing that the sponsorship of Mr. Adoumi is the reason for the NDC’s failure to field a candidate for this by-election.
The Vice President therefore urged all NPP supporters to come out in their numbers on Election Day and vote massively for Lawyer Kwabena Boateng to continue the late John Kumah’s work.
However, the independent candidate in question, Mr. Aduomi has denied accusations of the NDC’s support of his candidature. He noted that any backing he has from NDC supporters is due to his achievements as MP of the constituency.
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