Enough of the you do me, I do you politics; Ghanaians don’t need it – Afenyo‑Markin to the NDC Govt

In an Official Facebook Post on 9 October 2026, Kojo Anane Sonkondo shared remarks from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo‑Markin, who cautioned the NDC government against engaging in retaliatory politics. His words — “Enough of the ‘you do me, I do you’ politics; Ghanaians don’t need it” — captured both warning and appeal, as he urged the ruling party to focus on governance rather than political vendettas.

Afenyo‑Markin reminded the government of Ghana’s electoral history, noting that in 2016, Ghanaians gave President Akufo‑Addo’s NPP approximately one million more votes and 169 parliamentary seats. However, by 2020, the NPP had lost 32 seats, reducing its total to 137 — the same number won by the NDC at the time. He argued that this fluctuation in parliamentary strength should serve as a reminder that political fortunes can change quickly, and that the NDC should not be overly excited about its current majority of 189 seats. With the 2028 elections not far away, he suggested that the government’s focus should be on delivering tangible benefits to the people.

He criticized the use of state institutions like EOCO for dramatic arrests, insisting that accountability should be pursued quietly and backed by evidence rather than through public spectacle. For him, the government’s overwhelming majority in Parliament is an opportunity to enact policies that improve lives, not a license to engage in tit‑for‑tat politics.

This commentary reflects a broader theme in Ghana’s political culture: the tension between governance and partisan rivalry. By invoking the phrase “you do me, I do you,” Afenyo‑Markin highlighted the cyclical nature of political retaliation, where each party in power seeks to avenge past grievances rather than prioritize national development. His words were a call for maturity, urging the NDC to rise above the temptation of revenge politics.

Public reaction to his statement is likely to be divided. Supporters of the Minority may see it as a principled stand against abuse of power, while critics may argue that the NPP itself engaged in similar practices when in government. Nonetheless, the strength of his words lies in their ability to remind both sides that political power is temporary, and that credibility is built on service, not retaliation.

On the whole, his post was both cautionary and instructive. It reminded Ghanaians that democracy thrives when leaders use their mandate to improve lives rather than settle scores. At the end of the day, Afenyo‑Markin’s words were a sober reminder: the NDC’s majority is not permanent, and the people expect governance, not “you do me, I do you” politics.

Source: Kojo Anane Sonkondo, Official Facebook Post, 9 October, 2026