You don’t have the power to choose your successor – Akufo-Addo told

A former National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress, Sidii Abubakar Musah, has lambasted President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over his “you know I cannot have the man I removed as my successor” comment.

In a statement cited by GhanaWeb, Abubakar Musah interpreted the president's comment to mean that he is not willing to relinquish power in the event that former President John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the opposition NDC, wins the December 2024 election.

He added that Akufo-Addo’s comment is undemocratic and should be condemned because of its potential ramifications.

“Your proclamation is a crass expression of your insensitivity to our democracy and a blatant disregard for the will of the Ghanaian people. It is a slap in the face of every Ghanaian who believes in the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

“Your attempt to subvert the will of the people and undermine our democracy will not be taken lightly. You and your cronies will be held accountable for any consequences that may arise from your actions. The NDC will not stand idly by while you destroy our democracy,” part of the statement reads.

The former NDC national youth organiser also said that Ghanaians would reject any attempt by the president to subvert their will.

He added that Ghana is a democracy and the president would not be able to take the country back to the days of dictatorship.

“We will resist your authoritarian tendencies with every fibre of our being. We will fight you hand to hand and hook by hook to protect our democracy and the rights of the Ghanaian people.

“You may have forgotten, Mr. President, but Ghanaians still remember the struggles of our forebears who fought for our independence and democracy. We will not let you take us back to the dark days of authoritarian rule,” he said.

What Akufo-Addo said:

Addressing the chiefs and people of Wa, the president affirmed his commitment to ensuring peace ahead of the December polls, while also hinting at his succession plans.

He, however, indicated that his successor would not be his predecessor, John Mahama, whom he had 'removed' from office.

“Before the election is held, I am going to come here and pay my proper goodbye to you and thank you for the cooperation that I received from you when I was president. God willing, when I come, I will come with the man who is going to be my successor. Wa Naa, you know that the man I removed from the seat, I cannot have him as my successor and as a traditional ruler, you understand what I am saying," citinewsroom.com quoted the president as having said.

President Akufo-Addo added that he would return to the area with Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer, as his successor.

“Our country is known as the pacesetter for democratic governance across the entire continent of Africa. I want to assure you that this year, we are going to maintain that reputation. But I need your support and cooperation," he added.

Read Abubakar Musah’s full statement below:

26TH APRIL,2024

Dear President Akuffo-Addo,

A RESPONSE TO YOUR FRIVOLOUS AND CRASS INSENSITIVE PUBLIC PROCLAMATION ON YOUR DECISION TO NOT TO HAND OVER POWER TO THE NEXT NDC GOVERNMENT

I am writing to you today as the former National Youth Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to express my utmost disgust and outrage at your recent statement proclaiming that you will not hand over power to His Excellency John Dramani Mahama should he be elected President of Ghana in the upcoming December 7th, 2024 elections.

Your proclamation is a crass expression of your insensitivity to our democracy and a blatant disregard for the will of the Ghanaian people. It is a slap in the face of every Ghanaian who believes in the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

Your failure and mismanagement of the economy have led our beloved country into a state of economic junk, and Ghanaians are eager to take you out of office through the ballot box. Should Ghanaians have the opportunity to do so legitimately before December 7th, they would not hesitate to do so. May you be reminded that, Ghanaians would be in the greatest of elation to see you together with your cronies out of office even before 7th December if they had the means to, due to your abysmal performance.

Let me remind you, Mr. President, that it is not within your powers to choose who to hand over power to and who not to. The Ghanaian people will elect their next President, and you will be bound by the constitution to hand over power to the winner. Even though we may want to give you a benefit of the doubt of you wanting to cover up your mindless leadership by making such a mindless outrage, we would have to equally remind you that it would not be taken for granted. And this, is a PROMISE!

Your attempt to subvert the will of the people and undermine our democracy will not be taken lightly. You and your cronies will be held accountable for any consequences that may arise from your actions. The NDC will not stand idly by while you destroy our democracy.

We will resist your authoritarian tendencies with every fiber of our being. We will fight you hand to hand and hook by hook to protect our democracy and the rights of the Ghanaian people.

You may have forgotten, Mr. President, but Ghanaians still remember the struggles of our forebears who fought for our independence and democracy. We will not let you take us back to the dark days of authoritarian rule.

I hope you understand the gravity of your actions and the consequences that will follow if you continue down this path.

Sincerely,

SIDII ABUBAKAR MUSAH
Former National Youth Organizer, NDC

CC :
ALL MEDIA HOUSES

BAI/ ADG

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