Henry Quartey, Minister of Interior, has stated that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is entirely committed to a peaceful transfer of power in the case of defeat in the 2018 general elections.
This announcement coincides with worries expressed by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) about the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government’s readiness to step down in the event that they do not win the polls on December 7.
President Akufo-Addo’s comments, in which he hinted at his reluctance to cede power to a rival he had already vanquished in two elections, raised these fears.
Asiedu Nketia, National Chairman of the NDC, advised the NPP to choose a peaceful handover of power in order to benefit the party during a recent news conference.
Henry Quartey gave reporters an assurance on Wednesday, May 15, when speaking to the media in Accra that his party was committed to making sure the election process was peaceful.
He restated that in the event that the NPP did not win the upcoming general elections, they would in fact assist in a peaceful handover of power.
“As a politician, as a political party, it is our hope, it is our wish, it is our belief that by the grace of God, the good people of this country, the good work that we have done in infrastructure and in other interventions, they will give us another mandate.
“Perish the thought, and I say again, perish the thought, If they decide to give their mandate to somebody, we will handover peacefully and walk away, go to the drawing board and come back Insha Allah. But I know that the grace of God abounds and so we shall break the 8.”
In addition, he issued a warning that anyone who incites violence prior to, during, or following the general elections in 2024 will face consequences regardless of their political membership.
This comes after Asutifi South MP Collins Dauda was arrested during the ongoing limited voter registration drive due to reports of pockets of violence in several locations.
Let me sound the wording again, You know my track record, I walk my talk. Anybody who goes to do something other than what is prescribed, we will do our best to ensure that the law will take its course and the court of competent jurisdiction will do its work.
“May I sound this warning that it will not be political vindictiveness. If anybody commits, whoever the person is, we shall ensure that the law will take its course.”
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Joseph Asare
