Baba Sadiq Asserts: ‘We Are Not Cowards; No One Can Stop Us from Being Sworn in as MPs

Baba Sadiq Abdulai, the Okaikwei Central parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has made a bold statement declaring that he will take his seat in Ghana’s 9th Parliament, despite the Electoral Commission’s (EC) controversial actions that overturned his earlier victory. Sadiq, a staunch NDC supporter, expressed his unwavering resolve to be sworn in on January 6th, asserting that no one could prevent him from fulfilling his rightful role as a Member of Parliament, despite the ongoing disputes surrounding the results.
Sadiq’s comments come in the wake of the EC’s re-collation of election results, which resulted in the overturning of several NDC victories. In particular, his own victory in Okaikwei Central was reversed in favor of the incumbent NPP Member of Parliament, Patrick Yaw Boamah. However, Baba Sadiq has made it clear that he will not be deterred by what he perceives as an unjust move by the EC, which he claims is attempting to favor the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He challenged the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, and others who may support this decision, warning them that the will of the people would not be subverted.
He stated emphatically, “Jean Mensa cannot choose for Ghanaians who their MPs should be. We have worked hard to earn these seats. Every seat we won will be sworn in,” making it clear that, regardless of the EC’s decision, the NDC MPs-elect would not back down. Sadiq emphasized that none of the NDC candidates whose victories have been overturned are “cowards,” and they will continue to fight for their rightful positions in Parliament.
Sadiq’s defiant statement also extended to the broader context of the NDC’s relationship with the political establishment. He remarked that the ongoing dispute over the election results was part of a larger power struggle in Ghana’s political landscape, where he and other NDC candidates were not merely pawns to be manipulated by the political elite. He warned the NPP leadership, especially the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, that their attempts to retain power by discrediting the NDC’s wins would fail. “You will not be retained,” Sadiq declared, adding that the NDC was not afraid of threats or intimidation.
The NDC candidate also warned that the party would not be deterred by any declaration of a state of emergency or other measures meant to intimidate them. He stressed that the NDC would continue to assert its place in Parliament regardless of such tactics. Sadiq made it clear that the outgoing government, led by President Nana Akufo-Addo, and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, no longer held power, and their influence over the political process was waning. “We are not afraid of the state of emergency,” he boldly stated, affirming that the NDC would stand firm in its determination to have its elected members sworn in on January 6.
The controversy surrounding the EC’s re-collation of results has been widely discussed in Ghana. The EC’s actions have resulted in the reversal of results in several constituencies, leading to accusations of electoral malpractice. While the NPP emerged victorious in seven of the disputed constituencies, including Okaikwei Central, Tema Central, and Obuasi East, two constituencies—Dome Kwabenya and Ablekuma North—have had their results suspended due to unresolved issues. This has led to widespread discontent among NDC supporters, who feel that the process has been manipulated to favor the NPP.
Despite the backlash from his party, Sadiq remains resolute and determined to take his seat in the new Parliament. He reiterated that the NDC would not be intimidated by the EC’s controversial actions and would continue to push for the restoration of what they believe to be the rightful election results. In his eyes, the NPP and the EC are part of a broader political system trying to subvert the will of the people, but he and his party are committed to resisting this pressure.
As the date for the swearing-in approaches, Baba Sadiq’s defiance signals a broader fight for political legitimacy and fairness in the electoral process. He concluded by reiterating that the NDC would not back down, and that all duly elected MPs, including those in contested constituencies, would be sworn in, as Ghana’s democracy continues to face challenges and scrutiny.