The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it has not taken a decision on whether to contest the upcoming Akwatia by-election following the demise of the area’s Member of Parliament, Hon. Ernest Yaw Kumi.
According to the party’s Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Mustapha Gbande, its focus remains on mourning the late New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker, who passed away on Monday, July 7, after a short illness.
His death came months after a protracted legal battle that affirmed his victory in the 2024 parliamentary elections.
Mustapha Gbande, indicated that any decision on the party’s participation would be made at the highest level of leadership when the time is right.
“We are mourning Ernest Yaw Kumi, and it’s a reasonable thing to do in a political atmosphere. I am not the one to announce by-elections. It’s within the remit and authority of the General Secretary, consultatively with the national chairman and the leader of our party, who is the President,” he said on Asempa FM.
He cautioned against violent rhetoric ahead of the by-election and urged the members of the NPP who have been issuing threats to collaborate with them to end the prevailing electoral violence.
“What is just worrying is the preparation… the idea that because of Ablekuma North, we will meet NDC people there, we’ll crush them, we’ll fight them, we’ll kill them, we’ll shoot them.
“What if your gun doesn’t shoot and you don’t return home alive? It is for all of us as political leaders to begin to find a better alternative on how to go into elections without violence,” he said.
