Mahama: I disagree with Supreme Court verdict
Former President John Dramani Mahama says he disagree with the Supreme Court verdict which dismissed his 2020 presidential election petition on Thursday.
Reacting to the verdict Thursday evening [March 4, 2021], Mr Mahama said while he was not surprised at the decision of the judges, he disagrees with it and the processes of trial and ruling of the court.
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He, however, indicated that he was aware that he was legally bound by the decision of the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court per a unanimous decision delivered on Thursday affirmed Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a validly elected President of Ghana.
The court said the petitioner, Mr John Dramani Mahama did not demonstrate in any way how the alleged errors made by the Electoral Commission (EC) in the declaration of the presidential election result by the chairperson of the EC, Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa affected the outcome of the election.
"The petitioner has not produced any evidence to re-butt the presumption created by the publication of the C.I. 135", for which the court said the petitioner wanted a re-run to be made.
In effect, the Supreme Court said there is no reason to order a re-run, as one of the reliefs by Mr Mahama and dismissed the petition as having no merit.
The Supreme Court therefore dismissed the petition filed by Mr Mahama which challenged the declaration of President Akufo-Addo as the winner of the 2020 presidential poll organised by the Electoral Commission.
"I disagree with the suggestion of our Justices that an election petition is akin to any other civil litigation and therefore an EC Chairperson, whose functions go to the heart of our democracy, can by a legal sleight of hand avoid accounting for her stewardship in an appropriate forum such as the highest court of the land," Mr Mahama said whilst reacting to the verdict Thursday evening.
"Our legal team, led by Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata, put together our case in a clear manner, which left no one in doubt about what the issues were. Apart from seeking to ensure compliance with the constitution and for the true choice of the people of Ghana to be respected, the Petition sought to provide opportunity for transparency and accountability in the management of our electoral processes," he added.
"But no one who followed the proceedings in the Supreme Court will be surprised with the judgement pronounced some hours ago.
"Much as I am aware that we are legally bound by the decision of the Supreme Court, I disagree with the process of trial and ruling of the court, Mr Mahama said.
- Read also
- Supreme Court unanimously affirms Akufo-Addo as president
- How Akufo-Addo reacted to Supreme Court judgment
- Rojo and Kpessa-Whyte told fanciful tales - Supreme Court
Read a copy of Mr Mahama's full address attached below
Watch a LIVE video of his reaction in the video attached below
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