Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has dismissed calls for the incoming President, John Dramani Mahama, to remove the Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Jean Adukwei Mensa, and the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, from office.

According to Mr. Blay, such demands are impractical and lack legal basis.

“Those calling for their removal are just blowing hot air. I don’t believe John will do that. They are just talking. They don’t take the time to know the law. How do you remove the Chief Justice or the EC Chairperson? Unless there’s a petition against them with evidence of wrongdoing that leads to impeachment. If she has done something bad and you can prove it, then fine—but how do you just remove her?”

He made these remarks during an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Senprogramme Monday.

He added: “Go ahead and try. Unless you walk into their offices and force them out—which is not how it works. But knowing John for who he is, I don’t believe he will go to that extent to sack them.

Ahead of John Mahama’s inauguration on January 7, 2024, some critics, primarily from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have called for the removal of Madam Jean Mensa and Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

They accuse the EC Chairperson of partisanship and incompetence, and the Chief Justice of bias.

Joyce Bawah Mogtari, a spokesperson for former President Mahama, recently added her voice to the criticism. She called for Jean Mensa’s resignation, citing “partisanship, lack of credibility, and a lack of integrity.”

However, Freddie Blay believes these demands are unrealistic and politically charged.

“If the NDC wants to push for that, they can go ahead. But John Mahama won’t go to that extent,” he reiterated.