The General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has admitted the party had no empirical evidence to substantiate their claim that the 2020 presidential election was rigged as they claimed in their election petition.
Johnson Asiedu Nketia said the robust collation machine recommended by the party’s chairman Samuel Ofosu Ampofo broke down only after collating five regions.
Despite not having the collated results, Asiedu Nketia said the NDC proceeded to challenge the eligibility of the elections because they were convinced the results declared by the Electoral Commission were inaccurate and that the Supreme Court would vindicate them.
“We were told that the system that would help with that job had crashed and that is why, in truth, we did not have results to challenge the Electoral Commission. We came to the conclusion that looking at the region-by-region results, we had won, and even if we had not, [President] Akufo-Addo had not won the first round and in the worst-case scenario, we needed to go for a second round, but where were the documents for us to use?” he quizzed.
Accusing Ofosu Ampofo of seemly incompetent and disloyal to the umbrella party in a 14-minute audio clip obtained by Metro TV, General Mosquito as he is affectionately called stated without mincing words that he caused them the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.
He further said the embarrassing situation made astute lawyer Tsatsu Tsikata initially reject to lead the legal team to file a petition because he said their evidence could not hold water.
“Tsatsu said the Electoral Commission breached several electoral processes and they [the NDC] believe the evidence they won the elections are on the machines of the Commission and through that, during Cross Examination the truth would be laid bare. This is the way to go.
“This is why when I was questioned during the election petition about my results for the 2020 elections I told them I had none. I know you heard that. I do not know how to spew lies,” he told yet-to-be-known party members at a gathering.
Asiedu Nketia, who is contesting the incumbent chairman for the position said if given the chance such a blunder will not happen, stating he will engage member parties of Socialite International, of which, the NDC is part to support him with the technical know-how.
In March 2021, the Supreme Court dismissed a case challenging the outcome of the December 7, 2020, presidential election filed by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The petition had been brought by the NDC’s candidate, former President John Mahama, who described the results as “fraudulent”.
The Electoral Commission – party to the suit – said that President Nana Akufo-Addo of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) won 51.59% of the vote and Mahama took 47.36%.
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court said the case had no merit.
Reading the judgment, Chief Justice Anin Yeboah said the petitioner did not satisfy all the 5 issues outlined by the court to determine the case.
By: Bernard Ralph Adams | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
