By Rachel Quartey & Rukayatu Musah
The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has strongly criticised party members calling on President John Dramani Mahama to seek a third term in office, describing the move as self-serving, bootlicking and contrary to the party’s founding principles.
Mr. Kwetey stressed that the NDC remains firmly committed to constitutional term limits and has no intention of supporting any attempt by a president to govern beyond two terms. He further emphasised that President Mahama himself has no plans to seek a third term.
“One of the mantras of this party is that we will never be part of any agenda to allow a president to run for a third term,” Mr. Kwetey said. “President Mahama has no such intention, and the NDC will not support it.”
Speaking at the 44th Anniversary commemoration of the 31st December Revolution, held at the Asafotufiam park in Ada, on Wednesday, December 31, Mr. Kwetey described the growing calls for a third term as a reflection of increasing sycophancy within the party rather than genuine loyalty to its ideals.
“It saddens me when I see so much sycophancy creeping into our party,” he stated. “Some people seem to think that singing the praises of a leader is the only way they can survive politically. That is why you hear calls for a so-called third term. It is nothing but pure sycophancy and bootlicking of the highest order.”
He cautioned that such conduct undermines the values of the NDC and urged members to place national interest, party unity and principle above personal ambition.
Mr. Fifi Kwetey also referenced the legacy of the party’s founder, the late former President Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, noting that he was never pressured to remain in office beyond his constitutional mandate.
“When President Rawlings led this country, nobody demanded a third term for him,” he said. “If you truly love this country and this party, you will not engage in this kind of behaviour. This party was not built on praise-singing for personal gain.”
He added that President Mahama is serving to the best of his ability, but his time will come, why? “because cadres will go, cadres will come, but the great NDC and the revolution has come to stay.”
He concluded by reaffirming the NDC’s commitment to democratic governance and constitutionalism, warning that loyalty to individuals must never supersede loyalty to the party and the nation.
