Deputy National Communications Director of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Malik Basintale, has dismissed recent comments made by Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, commonly known as NAPO, the running mate for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Mr Basintale’s response follows a controversial statement by NAPO during his recent visit to Yaa Naa Bukali Mahama II, the Overlord of Dagbon, in Yendi.
During the visit, NAPO addressed a crowd and claimed that voting for the NDC is "haram"—a term meaning forbidden in Islam—for Muslims.
He further stated that it would be inappropriate for an Imam to offer prayers for the reinstatement of former President John Mahama.
These comments have sparked criticism from the NDC, with many questioning NAPO’s authority to make such pronouncements.
In his response, Malik Basintale firmly rejected NAPO’s assertions, arguing that it is not within his power to determine what constitutes a sin or to dictate who the people of Dagbon should support in the upcoming elections.
He emphasised that political choices are a personal decision and should not be framed as a matter of religious doctrine.
Mr Basintale suggested that even Yaa-Naa, the respected Overlord of Dagbon, would cast his vote for John Mahama, highlighting the NDC’s strong support in the region.
"Two weeks ago, the running mate of the NPP called NAPO visited the overlord of the Dagbon and when he came he made a statement that if you are a Muslim or a Dagomba and you vote for the NDC or John Mahama, God will punish. I am standing here to tell him that in the olden days, when one becomes mad, he or she is brought to Dagbon for treatment, and he shouldn’t bring his things here."
"What he does know is that Yaa Naa is aware that it is the NDC that built the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The Yaa Naa knows that it is the NDC that asphalted the Eastern Corridor Road. The Yaa knows that it is the NDC that asphalted the Tamale Teaching Hospital. So he will vote for Mahama and the NDC," he said.
