I want the same thing Akufo-Addo wanted in his 2012 petition – Mahama

The 2020 presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has answered his critics on why he is petitioning the Supreme Court over the outcome of the December 7, 2020, presidential polls.

Former President John Mahama in his address to the nation hours after filing a petition at the Supreme Court on Wednesday said many individuals had impressed upon him not to petition the apex court over the results.

They had questioned the rationale behind his decision.

But in his response, Mr. Mahama said he was seeking the same thing President Akufo-Addo, then-candidate of the New Patriotic Party in the election, sought when he petitioned the apex court in 2012.

He explained that his decision was aimed at clearing any confusion in the results declared.

“Some people have asked me what I hope to gain by challenging the results of this election. Let me tell you: I want, perhaps, the very same thing that my opponent [New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, President Nana Akufo-Addo] wanted when in 2012 he challenged the results of that election; I want the removal of doubt.

“I want for all of us to know that our elections should be free, fair, and safe—and that we do not have to settle for a process that leaves us confused, and with more questions than answers.

“I want a Ghana where institutions of state can be held to account. Where we can stand on principle and demand transparency without the risk of losing our lives”, he said.

Mr. Mahamai petitioned the Supreme Court on Wednesday afternoon to order a second round of the December 7, election.

He claims the votes obtained by President Nana Akufo-Addo and himself in the December 7, election as declared by the EC Chair did not satisfy the constitutional requirement for a winner to be declared.

“Increasingly, many of us who are attempting to understand how the Electoral Commission arrived at the results of this last election are being advised to forgo the issue – in the interest of peace.

But noted that the country’s democratic credentials did not come easy because Ghanaians have always stood on some principles and fought for the right things to be done.

“I know what it is to contest an election and to have the good people of this country choose my opponent to serve as their next president. I know what it is to concede. I have done so before.

“In 2016 when the election was not called in my favor, I conceded. I conceded in a congratulatory call to my opponent. And then, not long after that, I conceded in a public address to the good people of Ghana.

“I conceded not simply in the interest of peace and democracy, but because I respect the will of the people. I did then, and I do now. So, when I say that I will not concede this election, please know that I have not taken this decision lightly; understand that it is not because of a desire for power, but because of a dedication to principle and a commitment to democracy.”

The former President said, “Based on the irregular and inconsistent results that were reported, I have reason to doubt that this election was free, or fair, or transparent. And without those fundamental pillars in place, how can any of us be sure that the results announced truly represent the will of the people?”