Chasing third term for President Mahama very dangerous – Asiedu Nketiah

National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has cautioned against growing calls for President John Dramani Mahama to seek a third term in office, describing the campaign as a dangerous development.

He expressed concern that individuals who oppose the idea are increasingly being portrayed as enemies of the President, despite Mr Mahama’s own public position that he is not interested in pursuing another term.

Speaking in an interview on Ambassador TV, Mr Asiedu Nketiah said the growing pressure for a third-term bid could create divisions within the NDC and undermine healthy political discourse.

According to him, it is particularly troubling that the issue has been taken to court by some individuals seeking to compel the President to contest for a third term.

“Now, when you speak for the third term bid, you are someone who loves Mahama, but when you speak against the third term bid, you dislike Mahama. What they are doing is very dangerous. The NPP is also trying so hard to make it a campaign message. President Mahama himself has said he is not interested, but someone has also taken the issue to court to force him to contest for a third term.

"Even pastors are also involved in these calls for a third term. Some even say that if I contest, I will win, but what worries me is that I should not condemn Mahama’s third term, because if I do, he will be forced to support one candidate against me. Such things must not be encouraged,” he said.

Mr Asiedu Nketiah warned that the issue could become a source of unnecessary tension within the party if supporters begin to equate criticism of the third-term campaign with opposition to President Mahama.

He stressed that the President’s stated position on the matter should be respected and urged party supporters to avoid actions that could create divisions around the succession process.

The NDC Chairman also noted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) could exploit the third-term debate as a campaign issue, making it important for the ruling party to handle the matter carefully.

He maintained that political actors and other influential figures, including religious leaders, should refrain from encouraging a debate that could destabilise the party’s internal cohesion.