NPP Isn’t Our Competitor, They’re Participants In Ablekuma North Rerun – Mustapha Gbande
Mustapha Gbande, the Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has slammed the NPP’s claims that they are boycotting the upcoming parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency.
According to him, the candidate's name of the NPP remains on the ballot as participants, whether or not they show up.
In an interview on JoyFM’s Top Story on Wednesday, July 9, Mr Gbande stated that the NPP’s public posture is misleading and intended to create confusion.
Mr Gbande said, “The NPP is not our competitor in this election. They are participants in the election and have chosen to paint the picture as if they have withdrawn. But they are in the election because, on the ballot paper, their candidate is still there,”
“I am daring the NPP to write to the Electoral Commission and officially inform them that they are withdrawing,” he challenged.
A rerun in 19 polling stations in the Ablekuma North constituency is scheduled by the Electoral Commission (EC) following disruptions that prevented full collation of results in the December 2024 parliamentary elections.
The opposition NPP has said it will not partake in the process as they describe it as illegal and in contempt of court.
However, the Deputy General Secretary dismissed those concerns, accusing the NPP of using the situation to mask their internal disarray and dwindling electoral fortunes.
He further described the NPP as disorganised, fractured, and incapable of mounting a credible campaign.
Mustapha Gbande insisted that the rerun will go ahead with or without the NPP’s full participation.
"They also know that their candidate cannot win this election. If they get an opportunity, they would have changed their candidate," he added.