Abdul-Malik Kweku Baako, the Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, has provided context for his decision to never vote for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in any election held in the country.
Kweku Baako’s decision stems from what he views as a betrayal of an agreement reached among influential figures in the country in the aftermath of the June 4, 1979 coup.
The veteran journalist said on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo program that Jerry John Rawlings and other members of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) acted in contravention of that pact by ousting the Limann government. Since the NDC is an offshoot of the PNDC, he is never going to act in a way that benefits the party.
Kweku Baako explained that while he has a great relationship and a great deal of respect for John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the NDC, he does not see himself voting for the NDC.
He insisted that he has a number of friends in the NDC whom he respects and admires for their commitment to advancement, but he is never going to vote for them based on his principles.
“John Mahama is my friend. He is like a brother. I admire and like him, but he won't get my vote. He knows that and he accepts that, and that’s something I admire about him. My own corpse won’t even vote for the NDC. I have friends and close friends in the NDC, but they know my philosophy.
“The bottom line is that this party (NDC) came out of the PNDC that overthrew the Limann PNP. Meanwhile, we all had a pact that no coup would happen again after the June 4 coup. I can’t stand it. I accept them as a democratic party today because they are democratically registered and the EC deals with them, but their genesis...” Baako said on Peace FM.
Kweku Baako also defended his decision to declare support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential aspirant for the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“It’s also my right to say that this is not a party I can reconcile with, despite the fact that I have great friends in that party. Politically and ideologically, I have the right to campaign against them. Should that provoke insults and character assassination?” he quizzed.
In a Facebook post reported by Pokuase Mall, the Editor-in-Chief of The New Crusading Guide newspaper shared his unique perspective on the political landscape.
“When I looked into my crystal ball two weeks ago, it seemed like a runoff in the presidential race, with the elephant securing a majority of seats in Parliament,” Baako remarked, referring to the NPP’s electoral symbol.
He continued, “But this morning’s picture suggests the possibility of a first-round triumph for the Elephant in the presidential election. These are just observations from my crystal ball. To clarify, I am neither a prophet nor a pollster.”
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