The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has criticised the disqualification of Bernard Mornah, the presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC), from the upcoming 2024 election.

Speaking at a rally in Wa, in the Upper West Region, Mr Mahama claimed that Mr Mornah was more deserving of a place on the ballot than some of the candidates who were approved.

He also accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of deliberately sidelining the PNC candidate.

“The PNC is a more worthy party than several parties that I see on the ballot paper, but that is the issue with the EC, sometimes they are discriminatory because there are some people on this ballot paper who Bernard Mornah qualifies more to be here than them,” he said.

The EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, had explained that Mr Mornah’s exclusion was due to irregularities in his nomination forms, citing inconsistencies in the signatures of his supporters. He was among eleven persons disqualified from the race for various errors.

Following the disqualification, Samson Awingobit, the PNC’s National Chairman, expressed disappointment in the NDC.

Mr Awingobit accused the NDC of betraying the PNC considering the party's relationship with the NDC, saying the party leadership had not reached out to them after the disqualification.

Read also: PNC accuses NDC of betrayal and neglect after its flagbearer’s disqualification

Ironically, he revealed that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, was the only leader who contacted the PNC to express sympathy—despite suspicions that the NPP might have been behind the disqualification.

In this regard, Mr Mahama’s recent comments were intended to display solidarity with the PNC, stressing that he did not understand why the PNC was barred from participating.

“Thirteen candidates were approved, but our brothers in the PNC were unfairly excluded. I don’t see any justification for this,” he stated.

Read also: Bernard Mornah, 10 others disqualified from presidential race

However, Kofi Akpaloo, flagbearer of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), took offence to Mahama’s remarks, calling them disrespectful.

Mr Akpaloo demanded a retraction and an apology, arguing that the NDC flagbearer had unfairly suggested some candidates were undeserving.

Read also: EC insists Bernard Monarh and 10 others were disqualified for valid reasons

 “It is unfortunate for a whole former president of this country to make such comments. How can you classify some of us as unworthy? Who is he [Bernard Mornah] that makes him better than some of us?”

He questioned whether Mr Mahama would have gotten to his attainment if he had to start a party by himself.

“He [Mahama] should just count his stars, and he happens to be the leader of the NDC and has been given the opportunity to be president of this country before. He should respect himself.

“Who amongst the 13 is not worthy to be on the ballot? ….He can’t use that statement on us and he should withdraw it as soon as possible and apologise.”

Meanwhile, the PNC Flagbearer, the presidential candidate of the Progressive People's Party (PPP) and the Yellow Ghana Movement have all sued the EC over their disqualification.