Editorial: NDC street protests: please Mr Mahama, the buck stops with you

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is reportedly planning to challenge the results of five parliamentary seats in court. Baba Jamal, a leading member of the opposition party who reportedly disclosed this during a radio interview, said the party would definitely proceed to court to challenge the legitimacy of those who have been declared as Members of Parliament-elect for these constituencies.

“We have not still accepted the final result of Techiman South, because we insist that there was no collation at Techiman South, and for that matter declaration that was done was not legal. We are also contesting Zabzugu, where a secret declaration was done by the EC at a location that the NDC did not have its people. Sefwi Wiawso, Tarkwa Nsuaem and Essikado Ketan are all seats we are going to contest,” Baba Jamal was quoted as saying.

Since the rule of law forms an essential part of democracy, The Chronicle is happy that the NDC has decided to proceed to court to challenge these results as declared by the Electoral Commission (EC). But, whilst commending the opposition party for the path it has chosen to deal with the electoral dispute, we also wish to draw its attention to the issue of the presidential results, which, instead of going to court, they have rather chosen to be on the streets.

Ever since the EC declared Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as President-elect, the NDC has not only rejected the declaration, but actually asked its supporters to go onto the streets. This decision has resulted in hundreds of the supporters being injured. In some cases, some of them have been arrested and are currently facing trial for embarking on street protests without any lawful authority.

The Chronicle is not against party members hitting the streets to demonstrate because it is a legitimate right Ghanaians have if they want to lawfully bare their teeth at the government or any authority.  But such an exercise must be done in conformity with the law. It is wrong to unleash party supporters on the ruling authority without going through the due process. Such a conduct amounts to nothing but lawlessness, which must be abhorred.

It is instructive to note that former President Mahama himself has made a public statement to the effect that he would not deliberately ask his supporters to involve in acts that would plunge this country into chaos. This means that Mr Mahama himself does not believe in violence. The Chronicle is, therefore, at a loss as to why NDC supporters are on the streets embarking upon violent protests.

Since all the violent conducts on our streets by the NDC supporters can be blamed on Mr Mahama as a leader – because the bucks stops with him – The Chronicle is appealing to him to call his supporters to order and use non-violent channels to resolve all disputes surrounding the December 7 vote. In our view, the court is the last resort, and we urge him to choose this democratic path to ensure peace in the country.

When President Akufo-Addo was confronted with a similar situation in 2012, he did not ask his supporters to go and demonstrate on the streets. He rather proceeded to court, but lost. Still he did not ask the supporters to demonstrate.  The New Patriotic Party will not be in power for ever – definitely a day would come when the NDC will return to power. The big question is, how will they feel if the NPP disputes results declared for the NDC by the EC and asks its supporters to go onto the streets instead of court?

This is the reason why The Chronicle is pleading with Mr Mahama and the NDC leadership to consider the future of the country and withdraw their supporters from the streets.

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