Following the arrest and remand of independent parliamentary candidate Awal Mohammed on charges of dishonesty and deceit, tensions are growing within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) camp in the Madina constituency of the Greater Accra Region.
The NDC filed an official complaint with the Madina Police, alleging that Mohammed deceived voters into believing he was running on the NDC ticket by using the image of former President John Mahama on his campaign posters.
Outrage has been raised by this action, which many see as a ruse to control the party’s followers.
Violent altercations were barely avoided as the situation worsened.
Mohammed was arrested and appeared in court after the NDC demanded action.
Mohammed has not yet addressed the accusations, but the NDC’s Madina Constituency Chairman, Secretary, and lawyers pressed the case against him at the Adenta Circuit Court.
The court postponed its decision on Mohammed’s bail request until Friday, October 18, 2024.
Francis Xavier Sosu, the incumbent MP, is being questioned about his role in the case.
Critics contend that the prompt action against Mohammed was facilitated by Sosu’s legal influence.
Mohammed’s supporters are worried about this because they believe the detention is an attempt to quiet a rival candidate before the parliamentary elections.
The Madina constituency is a key battleground in the 2024 elections, with NDC and NPP candidates fiercely vying for control.
Background of the controversy
The incumbent MP, Francis Xavier Sosu, is a member of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and the Appointments Committee.
There have been concerns about possible conflicts of interest because of his involvement in the case.
According to the NDC, they guard against inaccurate representations of their party.
Nonetheless, Mohammed’s followers assert that Sosu and the NDC are using legal tricks to undermine his candidacy.
Source: Myjoyonline.com