Her Appointment Has To Be Revoked — Atick Yakubu Warns Mahama Ahead Of 2028 Elections

Atick Yakubu, a member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) National Communications Team, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to revoke Emelia Affi Agbenyo’s appointment as a Deputy Chairperson of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC).

Yakubu argued that Agbenyo’s alleged political background raises concerns about the neutrality of the electoral management body. He also warned that the appointment could increase tensions between the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition as Ghana prepares for the 2028 general elections.

In a post shared on his official Facebook page on Monday, October 12, 2026, the NPP communicator criticised the decision and referred to posts attributed to Agbenyo to support his concerns.

He maintained that although Ghana’s democratic system has its challenges, the country must protect the principles of fairness, independence and political neutrality, particularly when appointing individuals to positions within the Electoral Commission.

According to Yakubu, allowing people perceived to have strong political affiliations to occupy sensitive positions at the EC could weaken public confidence in the institution and create unnecessary controversy ahead of the next general elections.

He therefore urged the President to reconsider the appointment, warning that such developments could deepen political divisions and intensify opposition concerns as the country approaches 2028.

Yakubu also alleged that the appointment raised suspicions about the possibility of electoral manipulation in the next general elections. He warned that the opposition would resist any attempt to undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

To explain his position, the NPP communicator compared the situation to a football match in which the referee wears the jersey of one of the competing teams.

Through the analogy, he argued that an institution responsible for overseeing elections must be seen as independent and impartial, rather than appearing to favour one political party over another.

His comments come amid criticism from some opposition figures following President Mahama’s appointment of Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.

Agbenyo reportedly served as the NDC’s Spokesperson on the Governance Sector during the party’s 2024 election campaign. Her previous political role has become a subject of discussion, with critics questioning whether it could affect perceptions of the Commission’s neutrality.

The Electoral Commission plays a crucial role in organising and supervising elections in Ghana. Maintaining public trust in its independence is therefore essential to ensuring that political parties and voters have confidence in the electoral process.

However, Yakubu’s allegations about possible electoral manipulation represent his concerns and do not establish that any attempt to rig the 2028 elections has occurred or is planned.

The debate surrounding Agbenyo’s appointment is likely to continue as political stakeholders discuss the importance of impartiality, transparency and public confidence in Ghana’s electoral institutions.

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