I’m not power-drunk; I refused to concede on principle - Mahama

I’m not power-drunk; I refused to concede on principle - Mahama

-Former President John Dramani Mahama says he believed he did the right thing by not conceding defeat in the 2020 polls

-According to him, his decision was based on reasonable ground

-He has, therefore, filed a petition at the Supreme Court to challenge the results

John Dramani Mahama says his refusal to concede defeat in the 2020 polls was borne out of principle rather than an insatiable desire for power.

Addressing Ghanaians on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, after officially filing a petition to challenge the outcome of the elections at the Supreme Court, Mahama said he knew what it was to concede.

I’m not power-drunk; I refused to concede on principle - Mahama
I’m not power-drunk; I refused to concede on principle - Mahama Image credit: John Dramani Mahama and modified by author
Source: Facebook

But, not this time.

According to the presidential candidate of the NDC, when he lost the 2016 elections, he conceded not simply in the interest of peace and democracy, but because he respected the will of the people.

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Therefore, when he refused to concede the 2020 polls “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.”

He said he was compelled to challenge the results at the Supreme Court because he had reason to doubt the credibility of the polls.

According to the results declared by Mensa, incumbent, President Nana Akufo-Addo won the presidential race in the Monday, December 7, 2020 elections.

He collected 51.302% of the votes to defeat the flagbearer of the NDC, former President John Dramani Mahama, who polled 43.359%.

The votes difference between the two candidates stood at 517, 231, representing a four percentage point, one of the highest since 1996.

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In the meantime, an Accra high court barred supporters of the NDC from holding demonstrations in the capital, Accra.

The supporters have been on a nationwide protest since the declaration of the outcome of the presidential race in the just-ended polls over what they say was a stolen verdict.

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The court order followed a series of chaotic protests in the capital around the headquarters of the EC.

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Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Mohammed Awal avatar

Mohammed Awal Mohammed Awal holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies (Journalism) at the Ghana Institute of Journalism. He has worked in print and online media with Ghanaian-based The Chronicle newspaper, Starr FM and US-based online portable, Face2faceAfrica.com. He also had brief stints with Africafeeds.