Politicians must know the people are wiser now - Dumelo

The newly-elected Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, John Dumelo, has praised the growing discernment of voters in electing leaders, highlighting how political maturity influenced the outcome of the December 7 general election.

Dumelo, who contested on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), unseated the incumbent MP, Lydia Seyram Alhassan of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), by garnering 47,560 votes against Alhassan’s 39,214.

Speaking in an interview on Daybreak Hitz, Dumelo attributed his victory to hard work, his policy-driven campaign, and the electorate’s increasing focus on substantive representation over material inducements.

He pointed out the strategies employed by his opponent, alleging that Lydia Alhassan distributed food items, money, and even engaged voters while they stood in line to cast their ballots.

Despite these tactics, Dumelo noted that voters were not easily swayed.

“Judging from the results, you can’t fool the people all the time. If they don’t want to vote for you, they will collect the things and still not vote for you,” he said.

Dumelo emphasized that he refrained from employing similar strategies, describing them as politically unethical. “You don’t fight crime with crime; that’s why I was just cool and calm about it,” he stated.

Instead, Dumelo focused on building a strong relationship with his constituents, addressing their concerns, and presenting clear policies to improve their lives.

He believes this approach resonated with the electorate, reflecting their desire for meaningful and accountable representation.

The actor-turned-politician expressed optimism about his ability to deliver on his promises, underscoring his commitment to prioritizing the needs and interests of the people of Ayawaso West Wuogon.