A photo collage of Obiri Boahen, Freddie Blay and John Mahama
Nana Obiri Boahen, a former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has taken a swipe at former NPP National Chairman Freddie Blay for his recent remarks suggesting that President John Dramani Mahama could be eligible to contest the 2028 general elections.
Freddie Blay, in an interview, indicated that Mahama’s eligibility is ultimately a matter for judicial interpretation, although the final decision lies with the Ghanaian electorate.
“The law is in the bosom of the judges,” Blay stated.
“If it goes to the Supreme Court, which has the exclusive judicial right to interpret the Constitution and that body decides what it means by two terms, whether conservatively this or that, I don’t have a problem with it.”
He continued, “The law court does not vote for a president. The individuals who constitute a panel and may look at a case have only one vote each. It is the people of this country who will vote.”
However, Obiri Boahen disagreed with Blay’s stance, insisting that the 1992 Constitution is unambiguous on the matter and does not require further interpretation.
He argued that Mahama is constitutionally barred from contesting for the presidency again and accused Blay of misleading the public.
Speaking in an interview on Sompa FM, Obiri Boahen said, “He [Freddie Blay] should go and read the 1964 referendum. He should stop making the unnecessary noise and wasting our time. he should let our ears rest.
“There is no need for interpretation. You don’t go to the Supreme Court for interpretation on this. If he wants, he should go with Mahama to the court to seek interpretation that Mahama wants to contest again but I am saying Mahama cannot contest again. The law is very clear.”
Obiri Boahen criticised the president for even entertaining the idea of a return to power and accused the opposition of undermining the Chief Justice in the process.
“Mahama should not even nurse this idea. If that is the reason they want to sack the Chief Justice, then no matter what…she might go. “
“They should go back to the history books and look at what happened with Kwame Nkrumah and Acheampong what was the end result?”
He continued, “Freddie Blay should stop wasting our time. He should let our ears rest. This has to do with common sense: if you go for two terms as president, you cannot contest again.
“…if it is not about greed and selfishness Mahama wouldn’t even think about this.”
AM/KA
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