Bawku Central MP, Adamu Dramani Sakande says what he is facing in his ongoing trial for alleged nationality fraud is persecution rather than prosecution. He says his accuser, Sumaila Biebel, is only fronting for Mahama Ayariga, the deputy Minister of Trade who was the MP before he (Sakande) captured the seat in the 2008 elections. Describing Ayariga as a sore loser and the one pushing for his persecution, MP Adamu said on e-TV’s 100° (One Hundred Degrees) programme on Sunday night that the trial will yield nothing at the end of the day. Adamu now faces three counts of fraud: false declaration for office or voting contrary to Section 248 of the Criminal Offences Act of 1960, Act 29; perjury contrary to Section 210 of the Criminal Offences Act of 1960, Act 29; and deceiving a public officer contrary to Section 252 of the Criminal Offences Act of 1960, Act 29. He was only last week acquitted of six other charges including forging travel documents by the Fast Track Court trying him. Adamu Sakande professed great hope in the judiciary, and told his host on the programme that he expects to keep his seat at the end of the trial because there is no basis in the claims of his accusers. He described Ayariga as his younger cousin, but said the whole plot had been “badly managed” and “badly handled”, saying also that he never knew Sumaila Biebel until he was pointed out to him in court. “For me I would have wished that both of us were out there working the grounds in Bawku for peace to exist because it would have sent a strong, symbolic message to the people that look, let us not let politics divide us. Politics has more than any factor divided Bawku, more than chieftaincy, more than land or anything, the divide has been along the lines of politics generally and when we are working across and people are realizing that look these politicians have used us, let us reach across the political divide as to where our interest lies. And this is happening particularly among the youth…” Adamu Sakande said the present generation must not allow themselves to be drawn into tribal tirades, which he described as very emotional things, “because when it comes to tribe people are not rational anymore, people don’t think rationally and the worst thing is to allow politicians have the heartstring and pull because if he is an irresponsible politician he can pool it down the drain and by the time you wake up it will be too late for you...” He added that politics is a service, one in which people must enter with a conviction to contribute their quota and quit, not one of a “life or death matter.” “The thing about politics is knowing when to quit,” he said, but asked if he would give up his seat should the court find him guilty of the remaining charges, Adamu said ‘That is not an option, it will not happen because there is no basis.” Will that not be the honourable thing to do?, he was asked, to which he responded: “Oh, but that situation is never, never going to come on. I believe in the law courts, I believe in the legal system and I have all confidence …there is no basis for it and I am very confident that the laws of Ghana will do the right thing and the people of Bawku will be vindicated that they did the right thing in choosing Adamu, their own man, as the MP for Bawku Central and I’m here, all sacrifices, all tribulations they have shared with me ….they know this is persecution, not prosecution in my opinion and I hope that Ghana will be a better place when these issues are resolved…” Adamu Sakande returns to court on August 2, to open his defence in the three charges. Story by Isaac Yeboah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana