Don’t Criss-Cross H.e Mahama With Intentional Disturbances To Divert Attention From The Misrule Of Your Government – Wontumi Told

Mr. Matthew Kojo Njourkone, Deputy Ashanti Regional Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC)

The Deputy Ashanti Regional Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Matthew Kojo Njourkone has said that the recent move by Chairman Wontumi against former President John Dramani Mahama is aimed at diverting attention of the public from the misrule and failure of the NPP government including misuse of public funds for the Drone Saga.

According to Njourkone, the mouthwatering promises made by the NPP government to lure unsuspecting enthusiastic citizens to vote them to power have become albatross around the neck of the government. He said, in the face of these deceits of Akuffo Addo and Bawumia to win votes in 2016 elections, Mahama preferred honest engagements with the citizenry to lying for power.

However, according to Njourkone, as days are going by the mouthwatering promises which were even enough to entice dwarfs to come home to live with human beings are becoming a Mirage. He revealed that, the anger of the people is closing up on the NPP and Wontumi, trying to be swift, is using this attack on Mahama as a leeway to divert attention of the people from the woeful failure and bad rule of the Akuffo Addo’s government.

" Tell Wontumi that, we can see through his deceits and no serious Ghanaian will be swayed by his tricks". He emphasized.

He continued that, there is nothing that can override clear constitutional provisions and Article 66 (1)(2), and 60(7) are unambiguous on the tenure and terms of office of a president. Article 66(i) answers that, a presidential term is four years starting from the date one is sworn-in as president. Also, Article 66(2) states that, a president shall not hold office for more than two terms. Furthermore, 60 (7) states that, ‘where the unexpired term served by the Vice-President ….. exceeds half the term of a President, the Vice-President is subsequently only eligible to serve one full term as President.

Njourkone said, these constitutional provisions are clear-cut and carry no ambiguity.

The issue is whether John Mahama served two terms and could be barred from coming to serve another term? The answer is no. He explained that it is undisputed fact that, H.E Mahama served a four year term from 7th January 2013 to 7th January, 2017. But before then, he stepped in to serve the unexpired term of six months to complete the tenure of the late President Atta Mills following his demise. This was from Tuesday, 24th July, 2012 to 7th January, 2013.

Furthermore, the benefits granted former presidents and the number of times people have been sworn-in as presidents or caretakers cannot be used as the basis to prevent them from contesting if they have not served the required number of years which is two ‘four-year’ terms provided for by the constitution.

The Deputy Secretary believe that the above are irrefutable facts known to Chairman Wontumi; however the main reason for his recent attack on Mahama is to divert attention of the public from their failures and the misuse of public funds, the collapse of institutions due to bad policies of Nana Addo and Bawumia which have resulted in huge unemployment, nepotism, deception of 570 dams promised in 2018, the promise for bank account for every Ghanaian, the promise for 350 secondary schools within 18 months from office among others. "I therefore call on every concern Ghanaian to remain unwavering and to keep his focus alive on the major issues of family and friends government of Nana Addo, misuse of public funds among others and to pursue appropriate measures that are necessary to prevent the government from further abuse of power and ignore the antics and tactics of Wontumi." He concluded.