Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Rev. Ntim Fordjour during his visit
Former Vice President and 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has condemned what he describes as an act of political intimidation following an attempted arrest of Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South at his residence.
Heavily armed operatives of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), on April 9, 2025, stormed the residence of the NPP MP in what eyewitnesses described as a “Rambo-style” raid.
The security operatives, who had covered their faces with balaclavas and body armour, were said to have gone to the MP’s residence to arrest him over the two “suspicious flights” that landed at the Kotoka International Airport allegedly carrying drugs and cash.
Responding to the development, Dr. Bawumia called on President John Dramani Mahama to “rein in his security operatives,” accusing the administration of weaponising state institutions against political opponents.
In a statement released Wednesday night, Dr. Bawumia confirmed that he visited Rev. Fordjour shortly after the incident, which was reportedly carried out by individuals believed to be affiliated with the NIB.
“Last night, following the attempted raid by some alleged officials of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), I visited Hon. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South and Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior,” Dr. Bawumia stated and pointed out, “Rev. Fordjour was in high spirits and undaunted.”
The former Vice President described the situation as part of a broader campaign of “political persecution” and called on members of the NPP and the general public to remain composed.
“I urge all Party faithful to remain calm, steadfast, and law-abiding in this period of unfortunate political persecution,” he added.
The former Vice President also used the opportunity to reiterate an earlier call he made to President Mahama, urging him to “immediately rein in his security operatives.”
“State institutions must not be reduced to political tools used to harass and intimidate opponents,” Dr. Bawumia warned, intimating, “Ghanaians will not accept this descent into lawlessness and fear. Our democracy is hinged on due process and rule of law.”
By Ernest Kofi Adu