Tensions are running high in the Madina constituency after independent parliamentary candidate, Awal Mohammed, was arrested and remanded on allegations of dishonesty and deception.
The controversy began when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lodged a formal complaint with the Madina Police, accusing Mohammed of using former President John Dramani Mahama’s image alongside his own on campaign posters, misleading voters into thinking he was running on the NDC ticket.
This move sparked outrage, with many interpreting it as a ploy to manipulate the party’s supporters.
The situation escalated to the point where violent confrontations were narrowly avoided.
The NDC demanded action, leading to Mohammed’s arrest and subsequent court appearance.
At the Adenta Circuit Court, the NDC’s Madina Constituency Chairman, Secretary, and lawyers pressed the case against Mohammed, who has yet to respond to the allegations.
The court adjourned the hearing until Friday, October 18, 2024, to rule on Mohammed’s bail application.
Incumbent MP and lawyer Francis-Xavier Sosu is under scrutiny for his involvement in the case, with critics arguing that his legal influence contributed to the swift action against Mohammed.
This has raised concerns among Mohammed’s supporters, who see the arrest as an attempt to silence an opposing candidate ahead of the parliamentary elections.
The Madina constituency is a crucial battleground in the upcoming 2024 elections, with both NDC and NPP candidates fiercely vying for control.