‘Mahama has no time for NPP’s third-term claims’ — Gbande

Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, Mustapha Gbande, has dismissed allegations from the New Patriotic Party suggesting that President John Dramani Mahama is seeking a third term.

According to him, the President and his team are far too preoccupied with the urgent task of stabilising the country after what he describes as years of mismanagement under the Akufo-Addo administration.

Speaking on PM Express, which was followed keenly by Today.com.gh, Mr. Gbande, who also serves as the Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, said government officials are fully focused on fulfilling their constitutional mandate and addressing the crises facing the nation.
“Ghana has a constitution, and that constitution is the instrument that controls all of us,” he said, emphasising that the Presidency is not entertaining the NPP’s claims.

He stressed that the pressure on the President and his ministers has been immense.
“As I sit here, President Mahama and the leadership of the party are more occupied with battling the difficulties that President Akufo-Addo took this country to. It’s been very difficult,” he noted.

Mr. Gbande said his close view of the President’s workload leaves no room for political distractions.
“The last few months, I have seen the President not resting. From here, he’s gone there. He’s never rested,” he said, adding that ministers are experiencing the same burden.
“I’ve seen ministers of state under similar strain. Recently, my general secretary even acknowledged how difficult it is to reach some of them because of how demanding their schedules have become.”

He also stated that the party’s leadership stands firmly behind President Mahama.
“Our national chairman believes him,” he said. He dismissed claims from the NPP parliamentary leadership, describing them as mere political noise.
“We are not bothered about these renditions being carried out by Alexander Afenyo-Markin and his people. They can talk, but the right things will be done.”

Mr. Gbande also revisited his long-standing reservations about former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo. He insisted his concerns were rooted in principle, not politics.
“I have always said vehemently that I feared having Justice Torkonoo as Chief Justice,” he stated. When asked why, he said there were issues he raised which he still stands by.
“It is not an issue of President John Mahama or the NDC. Someone presented a petition, it went through a committee, and the committee found reasons why she should not be there.”

He praised former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo, describing her as exemplary.
“Justice Sophia Akuffo is one of the finest. If there’s an opportunity for her to be chief justice today, I would be the first to advocate for her,” he said. In contrast, he argued that Justice Torkonoo’s tenure did not inspire similar confidence.
“She did not discharge herself as Ghanaians expected. I’ll say that and take responsibility for it.”

Mr. Gbande accused Afenyo-Markin of contributing to the public distrust surrounding the judiciary during Torkonoo’s tenure.
“He is the one who destroyed her. If she has anybody to accuse, it should be him,” he said, arguing that the NPP leader’s actions politicised her position.

Meanwhile, NDC Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has indicated that he would support the party should it ever decide to push for a third-term bid for President Mahama — a statement that has further stirred debate within political circles.