Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has dismissed claims by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that it is boycotting the upcoming parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency.
Speaking on JoyFM’s Top Story on Wednesday, July 9, Mr. Gbande asserted that the NPP remains a participant in the election since its candidate’s name is still on the ballot.
“The NPP is not our competitor in this election. They are participants in the election and have chosen to paint the picture as if they have withdrawn. But they are in the election because, on the ballot paper, their candidate is still there,” he said.
He challenged the NPP to make its position official. “I am daring the NPP to write to the Electoral Commission and officially inform them that they are withdrawing,” he stated.
The Electoral Commission has scheduled a rerun in 19 polling stations in the Ablekuma North constituency, following disruptions that prevented full collation of results during the December 2024 parliamentary elections.
While the NPP has described the rerun as illegal and in contempt of court—and declared it would not take part—Mr. Gbande rejected those claims, accusing the party of using the controversy to distract from its internal disunity and poor track record.
“The NPP knows that when they were given power for eight years, Ablekuma North, which is one of their constituencies, was left underdeveloped. They didn’t spare the area from their fraud and deception,” he said.
He further criticised former President Akufo-Addo for allegedly neglecting the constituency despite its loyalty to the NPP. “When President Akufo-Addo was taking internet and asphalt to his village in Kyebi, he forgot that Ablekuma North was one of their strongholds.”
Mr. Gbande added that public discourse continues to damage the NPP’s electoral standing: “Each time you allow the NPP to participate in public discourse, they lose votes because they lack the credibility and moral integrity to participate in any election.”
He described the NPP as “disorganised, dismantled, divided,” and incapable of mounting a credible campaign.
“I dare say, what President Akufo-Addo and his people have done to this country cannot be forgotten just within eight months or seven months. It is still on the conscience of Ghanaians that the NPP’s eight years were a national fraud,” he stressed.
According to Mr. Gbande, the rerun will proceed with or without the NPP’s full participation.
“They also know that their candidate cannot win this election. If they had the opportunity, they would have changed their candidate,” he added.
Source: Prince Adu-Owusu
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