Ibrahim Adjei, former Assistant Secretary at the Office of former President Nana Akufo-Addo, has issued a strong caution to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration over what he describes as the abuse of state power in actions targeting members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
His warning follows the arrests and investigations of prominent NPP figures, including youth activist Alfred Ababio Kumi, widely known as Adenta Kumi, and Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on May 26, Ibrahim Adjei urged the ruling party to exercise its authority within the bounds of the law, warning that political power is not permanent and must be used in the public interest, not against it.
“The NDC administration must be mindful that this power, as far as you may wish for it, is not everlasting. And so, because of that, you need to work within the confines of the law and in the interest of the public in executing what you deem as necessary. I was just giving that as a caution.
“Let us work and make sure that the democracy that underpins our democracy, we follow it. In every administration, including the NPP, we have to learn from these things and do a better job. You can get Adenta Kumi, Chairman Wontumi, even Ibrahim Adjei to come and answer questions, but do so by the law and upholding the rights of the people,” he said.
His comments come in the wake of Adenta Kumi’s arrest by operatives of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) last Friday. Kumi has since been charged with the publication of false news after allegedly making unsubstantiated claims on social media and in a radio interview.
The claims related to a petition he submitted to the President, calling for the dissolution of a committee probing the Chief Justice. He has since been released following high-level discussions involving security officials and the Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
In a related development, Chairman Wontumi is also in the spotlight after a failed attempt by a joint team of National Security and police officers to arrest him at his residence last Friday, May 23. Though the reason for the operation remains undisclosed, it provoked outrage from NPP supporters who massed up at his home in protest, condemning the show of force.
Wontumi, during the tense standoff, reportedly assured the officers he would honour the invitation and is expected to appear before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Monday, May 26.