The Director of Legal Affairs for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abraham Amaliba, has claimed that the party's flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, strategically misled the New Patriotic Party (NPP) with his statements, leading them to choose what he describes as a "weak candidate" for the 2024 elections.

According to Amaliba, Mahama’s remark that the NPP would never allow a Northerner to lead the party prompted the NPP to support Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

He added that if the NPP had chosen candidates like Alan Kyerematen, a former NPP member now running as an independent candidate, the 2024 elections would have posed a greater challenge for the NDC.

Amaliba further explained that if the NPP had selected Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, the NDC would have also faced difficulties securing victory.

Speaking on TV3's Morning Show on October 11, 2024, Amaliba stated, “Afoakwa said something about Bawumia, and for me, I sometimes sit back and wonder how former president John Mahama was able to trick the NPP into giving us a weak candidate.

“If it was Alan Kyerematen, I can tell you this election would have been difficult. If it were Ken Agyapong, it would have been difficult but John Mahama’s statement made the NPP vote for a Northerner not because they have the North at heart but just to dispel John Mahama’s statement and now they have provided us with a weak candidate and so we are happy.”

Ghana goes to the polls on December 7, 2024, to elect a president and parliamentary candidates. The NPP hopes to maintain power while the NDC aims at a comeback.