'They just wanted to test their popularity' - Mustapha Gbande dismisses NPP’s CJ protest

Deputy NDC General Secretary Mustapha Gbande has dismissed the NPP's protest. He called the demonstration unnecessary and politically motivated.

On Joy News’ PM Express, he stated that the NPP’s march was not about defending the judiciary. Instead, it was an attempt to show political strength after their 2024 electoral loss.

“Perhaps they just wanted to test their popularity,” he remarked. He acknowledged that the NPP remains a strong political party.

However, he insisted that the demonstration achieved nothing valuable. “They failed to drive home anything,” he said, noting there was no need for it.

“All their points have already been discussed,” he added. Some people agree with them, while others do not.

Gbande emphasized that while protesting is a right, it cannot override constitutional processes. “The demonstrators derive their powers from a constitution,” he noted.

“But certain processes must be followed for decisions.” He believes demonstrations lack enough structure to change constitutionally guided decisions.

“We should respect the Constitution and allow processes to continue,” he urged. His comments were in response to NPP member Andrew Egyapa Mercer.

Mercer had praised the large turnout at the protest as evidence of party strength. But Gbande remained unimpressed by this claim.

“It is not up to the NPP or anyone else to judge these processes,” he stated firmly.

The protest took place in Accra and included support from other opposition parties. They criticized what they called a “dangerous interference” in the judiciary after President John Mahama suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

Gbande maintained that the President acted within his constitutional authority. He urged critics to let legal processes unfold without politicizing them.

“Let’s not turn constitutional issues into a street contest,” he concluded. “If we respect the Constitution, we should let proper institutions do their work.”