Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, National Chairman, NDC, has issued a statement boldly declaring that the party will not sponsor, support or entertain any move to amend the presidential term limits for any individual, including President John Dramani Mahama.
The NDC statement comes on the heels of Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader, sharing his opinion on the not ending talks surrounding the possibility of President John Dramani Mahama serving a third term in office.
The Majority, highlighted that the decision is up to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to Mahama Ayariga, if such a decision is made by the NDC, he would step aside or support the party’s decision.
He, however, accused the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) of putting ideas in the heads of Ghanaians that President John Mahama wants a third term.
Speaking on JOY NEWS AM Show, Mahama Ayariga stated, “The minority are rather trying to incite people to end up doing something they have clearly said they are not thinking about now.
If my party makes a decision that it is something that they want to pursue if I have an opposition to it, and internally within the party I am unebled to convince them about my side of the argument and the convince me about their side to the argument and I become convinced in my position as the leader of government business I will obliged to pursue it.
If I don’t accept, then I will have to resign; if I resign, it does not fall on me as leader of government business to pursue the party’s position, but if I remain as leader, I will be obliged to pursue it”, he added.
However, in the statement signed by Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the NDC unequivocally, categorically, and without ambiguity stated the NDC has no intention of using its Parliamentary Majority to pursue any amendment to the 1992 Constitution that seeks to extend or alter the two-term presidential limit.
The statement read, “The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken notice of recent public discussions following remarks attributed to the Majority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, concerning the possibility of constitutional amendment to allow H.E. John Dramani Mahama to contest for a third presidential term.
As National Chairman of the NDC, I wish to state unequivocally, categorically, and without ambiguity that the NDC has no intention, now or in the future, of mandating its Parliamentary Majority to pursue or support any amendment to the 1992 Constitution that seeks to extend or alter the two-term presidential limit.
The position of the NDC on this matter is firm and longstanding
- The NDC is fully committed to Ghana’s constitutional two-term limit, which has guided our democracy since 1992.
- It was the NDC that birthed and championed the 1992 Constitution, and it was under our leadership tha he presidential term was capped at two. This was done deliberately to safeguard national stability, preven he abuse of executive authority, and protect the integrity of our governance system
- Any attempt to remove or distort this important pillar of our constitutional architecture would be nothing short of dangerous. A third-term amendment will introduce needless tension, invite instability, and undermine the peace Ghana has enjoyed under the Fourth Republic, a peace built on a constitutional foundation laid by the NDC itself
Let it therefore be made abundantly clear:
The NDC will not sponsor, support, entertain, or tolerate any move to amend the presidential term limits for any individual, including H.E. John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama has repeatedly demonstrated his respect for the Constitution and the democratic traditions of our nation. The party urges the public to disregard any rumours suggesting otherwise. Our focus remain n governance reforms, economic recovery, national unity, and strengthening democratic institutions, not tampering with term limits.
The NDC remains committed to protecting the very Constitution we authored, in the interest of Ghana’s continued peace, stability, and democratic progress”, the statement concluded.
See the statement below:
