A New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist in the Savannah Region, Fredrick Abukari Tahiru, has called for the immediate recusal and suspension of two members of the party’s Regional Elections Committee over alleged conduct he says threatens the credibility of Saturday’s regional executive elections.
Mr. Tahiru, speaking at a press briefing in Damongo on Wednesday, specifically named Dr. Abudu Musah and Ayatolai Seidu, popularly known as “Mourinho”, and urged the party’s national leadership to remove them from the electoral process pending appropriate inquiries.
The demand follows controversies over the disqualification and subsequent reinstatement of two aspirants — Mohammed Adam Mansuur, who is contesting for Regional Youth Organiser, and Umar Alfa, an aspirant for Regional Nasara Coordinator.
Mr. Mansuur’s disqualification was overturned by the National Steering Committee, while Mr. Alfa was reinstated by the Regional Appeals Committee.
Mr. Tahiru said the reversals had raised serious questions about the consistency and impartiality of decisions taken by the bodies overseeing the elections.
“The credibility of our internal elections will determine the strength, unity and moral authority with which we approach the 2028 general elections,” he said.
Call for recusal, suspension
Mr. Tahiru accused Dr. Musah and Mr. Seidu of conduct that could undermine confidence in the electoral process.
He particularly questioned the conduct of Mr. Seidu, the Savannah Regional Research and Elections Officer, alleging that he had made celebratory posts on social media concerning decisions taken by the Regional Elections Committee.
According to Mr. Tahiru, such public commentary could create the impression that the official was not neutral in the discharge of his electoral responsibilities.
He therefore called on the National Executive Committee, National Steering Committee and regional leadership to request Dr. Musah to voluntarily recuse himself and suspend Mr. Seidu pending an independent disciplinary inquiry.
He also called for appropriate disciplinary action over Mr. Seidu’s alleged conduct.
Appeals committee member accused of conflict of interest
The NPP activist also raised allegations against an unnamed member of the Regional Appeals Committee, accusing the individual of a potential conflict of interest in handling one of the election disputes.
Mr. Tahiru alleged that the committee member simultaneously acted as legal adviser to an aggrieved party in the dispute while serving on the Appeals Committee.
He further alleged that the individual had claimed that the incumbent Regional Chairman gave him GH¢1,000 whenever they met after he lost his job, a relationship Mr. Tahiru suggested could raise questions about the member’s impartiality.
“Members of the Appeals Committee are expected to be impartial adjudicators,” he said, questioning whether an individual could legitimately act as both counsel and adjudicator in the same matter.
The allegations were made as part of Mr. Tahiru’s broader call for an independent assessment of the conduct of individuals involved in the electoral process.
Elders, patrons also targeted
Mr. Tahiru also accused some members of the Savannah Regional Council of Elders and Patrons of openly aligning themselves with candidates ahead of Saturday’s elections.
He argued that the bodies had a responsibility to remain above partisan candidate interests and use their positions to promote reconciliation, discipline and unity within the party.
The concerns come amid growing tensions over the regional elections, with some disputes reportedly reaching the High Court in Damongo.
Mr. Tahiru urged the elders and patrons to use their constitutional responsibilities to help de-escalate tensions and restore confidence in the electoral process.
The NPP is currently conducting internal elections as part of its preparations towards the 2028 general elections.
Mr. Tahiru said the Savannah Region deserved an electoral process that was “transparent, impartial and beyond reproach.”
He consequently urged the party’s national leadership to intervene before Saturday’s elections to prevent the disputes from deepening divisions within the party.
The allegations made by Mr. Tahiru at the press briefing are his claims and have not been independently established.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
