Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has sharply criticized President John Dramani Mahama, urging him to prevent state security agencies from becoming instruments of political intimidation.

The statement follows a reported attempt by operatives from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to arrest Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, Member of Parliament for Assin South, at his home on Wednesday. The effort, which was ultimately unsuccessful, has drawn condemnation from NPP leadership and raised concerns over the neutrality of state security institutions ahead of the country’s upcoming elections.

Dr. Bawumia, who visited the lawmaker following the incident, characterized the episode as “an unfortunate political persecution” and emphasized that Rev. Fordjour remained “in high spirits and undaunted.”

“I urge all party faithful to remain calm, steadfast, and law-abiding in this period of unfortunate political persecution,” Bawumia said in a statement.

The vice president called on Mr. Mahama to immediately rein in security operatives, warning against what he described as the misuse of state institutions for political ends.

“The security institutions of our country must not be reduced to political tools used to harass and intimidate opponents,” he said. “Ghanaians will not accept this descent into lawlessness and fear.”

The incident underscores rising political tensions in Ghana as the 2024 election campaign accelerates. Bawumia reaffirmed the NPP’s commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law, and political tolerance, warning that the country must not backslide into authoritarian practices.

Source:TheDotNews