Majority Leader and Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, has pushed back strongly against recent claims by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin suggesting that former President John Dramani Mahama and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are plotting to circumvent constitutional limits for a “third term” in office.
Speaking on Citi Prime News on May 2, Ayariga dismissed the allegation as a “manufactured narrative” with no basis in reality, accusing Afenyo-Markin of deliberately planting the idea in the public’s mind for political gain.
“He is the one putting this in the minds of Ghanaians,” Ayariga said. “I don’t think this is a genuine national concern. It’s not even something the NDC has discussed.”
The controversy was sparked on May 1 when Afenyo-Markin alleged that the recent nomination of seven justices to the Supreme Court by President Mahama, if he wins the upcoming elections, was part of a calculated scheme to manipulate the judiciary and potentially extend his stay in power beyond constitutional limits.
But Ayariga refuted any connection between the potential judicial appointments and an unconstitutional power grab. He recalled that similar speculations had emerged even before Mahama officially joined the race for the NDC flagbearership ahead of the 2024 elections.
“There were already people threatening legal action to prevent him from contesting because they misunderstood his eligibility,” Ayariga explained. “But the law is clear — a former president who served a partial term is eligible to seek re-election for a second.”
The Bawku Central MP said the real issue at stake is not about presidential tenure but rather political fear-mongering ahead of a fiercely competitive election season.
Observers have noted that while Ghana’s Constitution allows a president to serve a maximum of two terms, Mahama served one full term from 2012 to 2017 and, under the law, remains eligible to seek a second.
The exchange between the two parliamentary leaders highlights the intensifying political rhetoric as the country edges closer to the 2024 general elections.
