Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, has launched a scathing attack on the NPP Presidential Candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, following his statement condemning the arrests and detention of NPP officials, activists, and supporters.
According to Franklin Cudjoe, it is deeply ironic to see Dr Bawumia now championing free speech and condemning state intimidation, when the Akufo-Addo Bawumia administration remained silent while citizens were stripped of their very identity and belonging.
He argued that the NPP’s silence in power is damaging, as the current NDC government’s actions are now.
Franklin Cudjoe, however, stressed that Dr Bawumia is right to call out the present wrongs, but justice demands consistency.
In a post shared on X, Franklin Cudjoe wrote, “Well said—but how I wish Dr Bawumia had shown this same courage and clarity when his own government presided over rendering the people of SALL stateless for nearly five years. Not a single word of apology then. Not even an acknowledgement, even if his party had decided they would never say sorry.
It is deeply ironic to see him now championing free speech and condemning state intimidation, when his administration remained silent while citizens were stripped of their very identity and belonging. The NPP’s silence then was as damaging as the NDC’s actions now.
Ghana’s democracy suffers when any government—past or present—abuses power or looks away. Dr Bawumia is right to call out the present wrongs, but justice demands consistency. The patriots he now rallies remember those who were abandoned under his watch. Accountability cannot be selective.
If he truly believes in a day of reckoning for abuse of state power, let that day also review the NPP’s own record. The fight for democracy must include the courage to look backwards, not only forward”.
His comments follow, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the former vice president and NPP presidential candidate, who has launched a fierce attack on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government following the relentless harassment, arrests, and detention of NPP officials, activists, and supporters.
According to Dr Bawumia, the “unholy collaboration and enterprise” between the Executive, state security agencies, and some members of the judiciary is undermining free speech and is setting Ghana’s democracy backwards.
Dr Bawumia cited political prosecution, like the recent high-profile cases, the arrest of David Essandoh and Kwame Baffoe, also known as Abronye DC, as examples.
The NPP flagbearer highlighted that the day of accountability will come for persons actively participating in undermining free speech and intimidating members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In a statement released on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Dr Bawumia stated, “
“I have observed with great concern the endless assault on the fundamental rights of officers, activists, and supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) across the country by this National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government,” he stated.
“These actions undermine free speech and are setting Ghana’s democracy backwards. I condemn in the strongest terms the unholy collaboration between the Executive, state investigative agencies, and some elements within the judiciary to use intimidation and harassment to silence members of the New Patriotic Party,” Dr Bawumia declared.
He added, “I, therefore, serve notice to officers of the State who are active participants in this unholy enterprise that the day of accountability will come and the abuse of State power will be accounted for.”
“To patriots around the country, I urge you all to stay firm by refusing to succumb to intimidation while continuing your civic duty to hold the Government accountable to its promises. We fought hard for this democracy, and as a party, we cannot surrender it to intimidation from those who possess temporary power today,” he stated.
See the post below:
Well said—but how I wish Dr. Bawumia had shown this same courage and clarity when his own government presided over rendering the people of SALL stateless for nearly five years. Not a single word of apology then. Not even an acknowledgment, even if his party had decided they would… pic.twitter.com/0JNL4Ud63a
— Franklin CUDJOE (@lordcudjoe) May 14, 2026