The Ablekuma North Municipal Assembly has been plunged into a major controversy following explosive allegations of unconstitutional conduct, unlawful detention, and coercion during the confirmation process of President Akufo-Addo’s nominee for Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Musah Kalamu.

 

In a scathing statement issued today to “All Media Houses” for “IMMEDIATE RELEASE,” Hon. Ibrahim Sulley, the duly elected Presiding Member of the Ablekuma North Municipal Assembly, condemned what he described as “shameful acts of intimidation, violence, and unconstitutional conduct orchestrated by the Hon. Regional Minister and directed at Assembly Members.”

 

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According to the statement, the Assembly initially performed its constitutional duty and conducted a lawful, transparent vote on the nominee, with the outcome being 10 YES and 11 NO. This result, according to Hon. Sulley, represented a “clear and lawful rejection in accordance with the standing regulations governing the confirmation process of MMDCE appointees.”

 

However, the situation reportedly took a disturbing turn after this initial vote. Hon. Sulley alleges that “Thugs, reportedly in the company of the Greater Accra Regional Minister and her delegation, physically accosted and forcibly locked me and 7 other Assembly Members in my office.” He further claims they were “held against our will, subjected to threats, intimidation, and psychological pressure.”

 

Under these “extreme and coercive circumstances,” 13 out of 21 Assembly Members were allegedly “ultimately forced to re-enter the chamber and participate in an illegal second round of voting.” Hon. Sulley unequivocally declared this second vote, conducted under duress and outside the bounds of legality and decency, as “not only null and void, but also an affront to the dignity of the Assembly and the principles of democracy.”

 

In his statement, Hon. Sulley made several demands:
* Publicly and unequivocally condemn the alleged acts of intimidation, violence, and unconstitutional conduct.

* Reject and declare illegitimate the outcome of the second round of voting, which he asserts was neither voluntary nor lawful.

* Call for an independent investigation into the actions of the Regional Minister, her associates, and all individuals involved in orchestrating and executing these unlawful actions.

* Petition the Office of the President to uphold the sanctity of local governance by intervening to nullify the compromised process and by taking disciplinary action against all officials responsible.

* Reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the Assembly members to the rule of law and democratic governance, with active exploration of legal remedies to challenge the illegality of today’s events and to enforce the result of the legitimate first vote.

 

Hon. Sulley concluded by stating that “The events of today are a tragic and unacceptable stain on the integrity of our democratic processes. No Assembly Member—no Ghanaian—should be threatened or detained for exercising their lawful mandate.”

He appealed to civil society, the media, traditional leaders, and all champions of good governance to join them in demanding justice, accountability, and the restoration of dignity to the Ablekuma North Municipal Assembly.

 

Calls to the Greater Accra Regional Minister’s office for comment were not immediately returned. This developing story is expected to draw significant attention from political observers and good governance advocates across the nation.