Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Abdul-Jalilu Ateku, has described the recent peace pact signed by New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary aspirants as “unnecessary” and a “waste of time,” arguing that the party should instead focus on addressing the root causes of electoral tension.
He made these remarks during an interview on Bryt FM’s Adekye Mu Nsem with Kwamina Sam Biney on Bryt FM.
Dr. Ateku questioned the relevance of the pact, stressing that even peace agreements signed at the national level add little value to ensuring credible elections.
“Signing even at the national level is unnecessary. It’s just a waste of time. When you look at the peace pact and read its essence, it is meant to unite them and help them accept the results before and after the campaign period. But throughout the five months of campaigning, you didn’t see the need to give this document to the party for them to refine their language?” He quizzed.
He argued that the rush to get candidates to sign the pact appears more like an attempt to prevent post-election divisions than a genuine effort to promote discipline or fairness.
According to him, ensuring a free and fair electoral process is far more important than asking candidates to sign a document they barely understand.
“What is important to me is ensuring that the election you organize will be free and fair,” he said.
“From the onset, you gave them the chance to campaign, you needed to remind them that we have a constitution in this country. As the NPP, we also have our own constitution that regulates members’ behavior. When some go astray, you let them go through the party’s regulations.”
He criticized party officials for failing to enforce their own rules earlier but suddenly resorting to a peace pact when conflicts escalate.
Dr. Ateku also expressed concern that the document was not shared with the aspirants ahead of time.
“You didn’t give the candidates the peace pact to read beforehand. You should have given them the draft two or three days earlier so they could add their suggestions,” he explained. “Some of them were seeing it for the first time on the day of signing.”
The political science lecturer concluded that they must prioritize eliminating the drivers of electoral tension, rather than depending on symbolic agreements that do not tackle the real issues.
“In my view, we should be addressing the things that bring fear and tension into our elections, rather than signing this peace pact. It is as though we are validating the very things that create fear and tension,” he noted.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Tamara Owusu Ansah
