Former PNC General Secretary, Atik Mohammed says the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presenting James Gyakye Quayson again for the Assin North parliamentary seat is the best strategic decision.
According to him, Mr. Gyakye Quayson is the party's best foot to giving the governing New Patriotic Party a run for their money in the upcoming Assin North by-election.
The Supreme Court nullified the election of James Gyakye Quayson as Member of Parliament for Assin North.
Consequently, the Attorney General, Godfred Dame, is said to have filed criminal charges including perjury against the deposed MP, accusing him of deceiving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by making a false statement that he did not have dual citizenship in order to acquire a Ghanaian passport among other things.
In Ghana, second-degree felonies are punishable by ten years imprisonment which means Mr. Gyakye Quayson could be slapped with a ten-year jail sentence if found guilty.
However, Mr. Gyakye Quayson says he will fight with his last breath to win back the parliamentary seat.
“I will fight for Assin North with my last breath. In every family, there is a Judas, as you are trying to pack things up others will be ready to destroy. But I know whoever is fighting something not for selfish gain but for the gains of the public, God crowns his efforts. The vision here is not a selfish vision. It is a vision for the whole Assin North community and its people. So, I know definitely we will achieve it,” he said in an interview posted by TV3.
Contributing to Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", Atik Mohammed expressed contrary views to popular opinions that Mr. Gyakye Quayson should wait till 2024 to re-contest the seat, particularly to keep him from the criminal charges against him.
To him, Mr. Gyakye Quayson "contesting now is nothing wrong and I think it's the best strategic decision the NDC could have taken".
Atik urged Mr. Gyakye Quayson on to remain focused on the by-election, saying "look, if you will be jailed, you'll be jailed. Whether you contest in rather 2024 or today, the consequences that will befall you, there won't be any difference. If you will be jailed, if you are found guilty, you will be jailed and if you won't be jailed, you won't be jailed".
