Former President John Mahama
Former President John Mahama has incurred the wrath of the National Peace Council (NPC) and other peace-loving organizations for virtually declaring war in 2020.
No sooner had he made the gloomy utterance than the NPC Chairman, Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante, jump in with a demand for an apology.
He subtly said the remarks were not compatible with the status of a former president, who is seeking an opportunity to rule the country once again.
The NPC and the former president could soon be on collision course if the latter responds rather scathingly to the demand for apology, although the former would rather avoid such a clash.
Continuing, Rev Prof Emmanuel asked the former President Mahama to be circumspect in his utterances.
While reacting to the acts of violence at the residence of the NDC candidate during the by-election in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency last Thursday, former President Mahama boasted at Adaklu in the Volta Region that his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is the repository of mayhem, having been born, as he put it, from a revolution.
Violent Antecedent
The former President’s statements have been subjected to varied interpretation.
Former President John Mahama subtly made reference to the bloody features of the so-called revolution which brought former President Jerry John Rawlings into political limelight.
He said, “I want to sound a caution that NDC has a revolutionary root and when it comes to unleashing violence, no one can beat us to that. It’s just that we are mindful of this country’s democracy and that is why we must be the first to respect it. That is why we are acting as a party that is docile and respecting the rule of law. But if we believe that the government cannot protect our people and we believe that the government is using its vigilante groups and illegal forces to intimidate and harass and injure our people, then we may have to advise ourselves.”
He added: “We respect the constitution of this country, and the NDC is a democratic party and that’s why we abide by the rules of the constitution. But the same constitution says that Ghanaians should resist anybody who attempts to subvert the constitution. When you go rampaging with forces and intimidating people when they should come out and vote, you are subverting the constitution and we have a right to resist you.”
Varied Interpretation
While some regard his stance as only endorsing the violent nature of the party NDC, others who have tried over the years to cloth the political grouping with a concentrated dose of PR, feel disappointed.
Mr. Mahama added: “We are not going to joke in 2020, and I’m sounding a warning to the NPP – we are going to match them boot for boot…”
His comments have already gone viral on social media.
NPC Concern
Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante spoke for many Ghanaians who have described the former president’s remarks as unacceptable and inappropriate.
“For saying the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will match the governing New Patriotic Party boot-for-boot with violence in the 2020 polls, the former president should apologise,” he said.
Unfortunate Remark
He said: “If President John Mahama did
say what he said, then it is very unfortunate because he has been a head of
state; he has been the president of the nation, he is vying for his party to
make him the presidential candidate, and if the people of Ghana want him again,
he could become the president of this nation. And if it is going to be
‘boot-for-boot’ for the nation to be on fire, then there is no mercy for
anybody. And I think it’s unfortunate that in anger such things should be said.”
“I pray and I want to believe that he didn’t mean it; he did it out of anger.
We have to be very circumspect and under such circumstances watch the things we
say.
“If he said that I would want to say that President Mahama, with all humility, I
will plead with him to apologise to the nation. In making that statement, he
has really created fear in the hearts of people, and it’s not just President
Mahama I will say this to, I want to say this to all our leaders, people we are
looking up to in this nation; that under such circumstances one would expect
that they will be the voice of wisdom, a voice that will calm tension, a voice
that will help Ghanaians to be able to say: Indeed, we have leaders. So, please
let’s be very careful about these things that we say.”
Atiwa, Chereponi, Talensi
Many with a sense of history wondered whether he had forgotten the violence which rocked the three by-elections in the country during the tenure of the NDC.
Investigations into the violence, which featured in the foregone theatres, remain inconclusive to date; if they were ever initiated at all.
Ayawaso West Wuogon Bye-Election
Last Thursday’s incident began when a gunshot was allegedly fired from the residence of the NDC candidate at a police officer whereupon the cops returned fire.
Rumours of deaths and description of the unusual uniform of the police officers on duty at the polling stations as being that of vigilantes have turned out to be untrue.
Uniform
The various specialized units in the police wear uniforms which many hardly know.
The same uniforms, which the NDC claimed belonged to NPP vigilante group, were worn by some cops who rendered protection to the former President John Mahama when he was in office.
One of such pictures is in this edition to refresh the minds of readers.
Matters Arising
Many people have raised concerns about why the East Legon Police did not take statements from eight rowdy NDC activists when they were arrested and taken to the station in the heat of the premeditated violence in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency.
In one of the videos that went viral, some of the NDC hoodlums were overheard threatening the cops with death, but nothing was done to them procedurally.
DAILY GUIDE can confirm that two busloads of NDC hoodlums were bused into Accra from Tamale to come and disrupt the polls.
One of the buses had registration number GT 9829-11.
By A.R. Gomda