John Dramani Mahama has set the records straight following a petition to the Inspector General of Police to get him and his party Chairman arrested for making comments that are deemed “treasonable” by the ruling New Patriotic Party.
The former President has explained the “do or die” comments he made on Monday, March 13, 2023 during his interaction with party executives in the Dormaa East constituency.
He had told them to “open your eyes at the polling stations like eagle eyes.”
“We know that you all have children who have been educated, we want you to release them to us so that we train them five times before we vote. This 2024 election is not a joke, it is boot to boot, it is do-or-die,” he admonished.
John Mahama campaign tour | Interacts with Delegates at Dormaa East || WoezorTV live https://t.co/MZMDFpsa8G
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) March 13, 2023
The comments has since generated series of controversies where party members equated it with Akufo-Addo’s “all die be die.”
But following a petition to the police by the NPP to get the former President arrested for the comments, he has come out to explain that his statement was twisted by people who wanted to create disaffection between him and Ghanaians.
On the day two of his three-day tour of the Eastern region, the NDC 2024 flagbearer hopeful has explained that his comments was only to let the party faithful know how important the 2024 polls is, and nothing near what others insinuated.
“We are not going to joke with the 2024 elections. That’s why I said it’s a “do or die.” But when I said do or die people have twisted it to say we are going to butcher people with bows and arrows and cutlasses. Never! That’s not do or die. Do or die means it is something so important for us to win and shouldn’t be joked with. That’s what do or die means. It doesn’t mean we are going to beat people up with clubs and cutlasses,” he clarified in Twi Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
Meanwhile, the NDC had earlier petitioned the IGP to arrest the Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong, for making comments which they deem “inciteful.”
Mr. Acheampong had said at a unity walk of the NPP at Mpraeso during the Easter celebration that the NPP is never going relinquish power to the NDC and that they will do everything possible to retain the mantle come 2024.
The comments which people have had reservations on due to its potential to ‘incite’ and cause mayhem has been criticised by many, with the opposition NDC petitioning the police to get the pronouncer arrested.
By Felix Anim-Appau|Onuaonline.com
