Kobina Tahiru Hammond, the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Adansi Asokwa, has hinted at a potential return to the political arena in the 2028 elections. Hammond, who lost his seat in the 2020 elections to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Godwin Dorani, maintains that the NDC’s victory was not a reflection of their merit but rather a result of circumstantial factors and electoral irregularities. Following the dismissal of his election petition by the Obuasi High Court, Hammond addressed journalists, asserting that he is not retired from politics and that his current focus on legal pursuits is merely a temporary hiatus. He urged observers to “watch this space,” suggesting that his political ambitions remain active. This statement, combined with his critique of the 2020 election process, strongly implies a potential comeback bid in the future.
Hammond’s contention that his electoral defeat was not a fair reflection of the voters’ will rests heavily on his allegations of significant irregularities during the 2020 Adansi Asokwa parliamentary elections. He highlighted the discovery of ballot boxes at unauthorized locations, specifically citing the Lomito Clinic, as a glaring example of the electoral malpractice that he believes marred the process. He questioned the legitimacy of these misplaced ballot boxes, emphasizing that the clinic was not a designated polling station. This raises concerns about chain of custody and the potential for tampering or manipulation of the ballots. He further described the alleged irregularities as “crazy” and “beyond description,” suggesting a deeply flawed electoral process that he believes undermined the integrity of the results.
The former MP provided further details about the alleged irregularities, mentioning the presence of “tippers, inks, and other things” on the misplaced ballot boxes. This ambiguous statement, lacking specific details about the nature and purpose of these items, adds to the suspicion surrounding the handling of the ballot boxes. However, without further clarification, it remains difficult to ascertain the exact nature and potential impact of these anomalies. Nevertheless, his insinuation is that these irregularities were substantial enough to cast doubt on the validity of the election outcome.
In addition to highlighting the alleged irregularities, Hammond also attributed the NDC’s victory to voter apathy among supporters of his party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He argued that a significant number of NPP loyalists failed to cast their votes, which contributed to his loss. This claim suggests a potential weakness in the NPP’s mobilization efforts during the election. Whether this apathy was due to disenchantment with the party, logistical challenges, or other factors remains unclear. However, Hammond’s assessment implies that the NPP’s internal dynamics and voter engagement strategies may have played a role in the outcome.
Hammond’s narrative paints a picture of a flawed election marked by irregularities and internal party challenges that contributed to his defeat. By highlighting these issues, he lays the groundwork for a potential political comeback, positioning himself as a victim of circumstance rather than a candidate rejected by the electorate. His call to “watch this space” serves as a clear signal of his ongoing political ambitions and sets the stage for a potential challenge in 2028. Whether he can successfully convince voters that his loss was due to external factors rather than a genuine shift in public opinion remains to be seen.
Ultimately, Hammond’s future political prospects will depend on his ability to address the concerns that led to his defeat. This includes not only demonstrating the validity of his allegations of electoral irregularities but also addressing any internal divisions or apathy within the NPP. His success in 2028 will hinge on his ability to rebuild trust with the electorate and present a compelling vision for the future of Adansi Asokwa. His current narrative serves as the opening salvo in what could be a protracted battle to reclaim his former seat.
