The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has filed a fresh suit at the Supreme Court of Ghana, seeking to counter arguments in pending cases that support President John Dramani Mahama's eligibility to contest the 2028 elections for a third term. According to the NPP's Second National Chairman, Henry Nana Boakye, the decision to file a separate action was made due to concerns that the arguments against a third presidential term might not be adequately presented before the court. This move aims to ensure that the party's position on the matter is properly represented.
There are already pending actions before the Supreme Court, filed by pro-NDC groups and another by Ken Korankye, seeking a declaration that President Mahama can contest for a third term. Nana Boakye stated that the NPP considered it politically dangerous to allow these existing cases to proceed without proper counterarguments on the interpretation of Article 66 of the 1992 Constitution. The NPP wants to present its own legal arguments rather than depend on the Attorney-General or the Supreme Court justices to address the issues raised.
The NPP's decision to file a separate suit was also influenced by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) case, where the Attorney-General's position raised concerns about the need for civil society intervention to protect the institution. Nana Boakye argued that the party did not want to risk having its application to join the pending action rejected at the court's discretion. By instituting a fresh action, the NPP aims to put before the Supreme Court a more cogent case against President Mahama contesting a third term under Article 66.
The NPP is seeking an interpretation of the constitutional provisions governing presidential term limits, specifically whether the two-term restriction applies to consecutive and non-consecutive terms. The party wants the Supreme Court to declare that a person cannot be elected President more than twice or serve more than two four-year terms in total, regardless of whether the terms follow one another. This clarification is crucial in determining President Mahama's eligibility for the 2028 elections.
Nana Boakye emphasized that filing this separate suit would allow the NPP to present its own legal arguments, rather than relying on others to address the issues raised. The party is taking a proactive approach to ensure that its position on the matter is properly represented before the Supreme Court. By doing so, the NPP aims to provide clarity on the interpretation of Article 66 and its implications for President Mahama's eligibility.
The decision to file a fresh suit has significant implications for Ghana's democratic process. The NPP's move demonstrates the party's commitment to upholding the Constitution and ensuring that the electoral process is fair and transparent. The Supreme Court's interpretation of Article 66 will have far-reaching consequences, not only for President Mahama's eligibility but also for future elections in Ghana.
The NPP's action is a response to the pending suits seeking to establish President Mahama's eligibility for a third term. The party's concerns about the arguments presented in these cases have led to the filing of a separate suit, which will allow the NPP to present its own case and ensure that its position is properly represented before the Supreme Court. The court's decision will ultimately determine the outcome of the 2028 elections and the future of Ghana's democracy.
Key points
- NPP files fresh suit at Supreme Court to counter arguments on President Mahama's eligibility
- Party seeks interpretation of constitutional provisions governing presidential term limits
- NPP aims to present own legal arguments rather than rely on others
