I will use Mahama’s name - Eleblu to NDC

Independent parliamentary candidate in the North Tongu constituency, Christopher Eleblu has challenged the governing National Democratic Congress’ decision to bar him from using President John Mahama’s name or pictures to campaign because he has decided to run as an independent parliamentary candidate for the North Tongu seat in this year’s polls.

According to Mr. Eleblu, it is unconstitutional for the NDC to prevent him from associating himself with the President.

The governing party recently dismissed Mr. Eleblu and 22 of its members for opting to contest as independent parliamentary candidates.

The dismissed members were also warned to desist from campaigning in the name of the President or using any party symbols in their campaigns.

But speaking to Class News, Mr Eleblu, who is facing stiff competition from the NDC’s Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the decision is an affront to his rights as enshrined in the constitution.

“The issue is not solely about my disqualification or my sacking from the party, it is the announcement that I should not use the name of the president. I believe it’s against the constitution of Ghana because under the constitution, I have the right of association and the right of speech and to say that I shouldn’t campaign or use a name of a presidential candidate, I don’t know which law is that,” he stated.

“They have created a new criminal code that if you go independent, you cannot even use the name or campaign for presidential candidate. I think it’s against the constitution; it deprives Ghanaians of their right to [free] speech and right of association.

The presidential candidate, even though he’s a flag bearer of a party, he does not belong to only those who carry the flag of NDC and they are not the only people who will be voting for him and campaigning. Everybody including myself [will vote]. I’m not going to comply with that order,” he added.