New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to distance himself from attempts to reopen the debate over presidential term limits, warning that such efforts could damage his political legacy.

Awuku’s comments came after a teacher petitioned the Supreme Court to declare that a president who has served two non-consecutive terms remains eligible to contest for the office again.

In a Facebook post on Friday (10 July), Awuku suggested that those behind the legal action did not have the President’s best interests at heart.

“I have a funny suspicion that those behind the suits are plotting the eventual downfall of President Mahama,” he wrote.

“Mr President, they don’t wish you well. Don’t fall for this trap and don’t be persuaded to drink a cup of ‘poison’ prepared by detractors in your own party.”

Awuku also cautioned that some members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) with presidential ambitions could eventually turn against Mahama.

“Remember there are people already in your party campaigning to be President. They will join hands with the opposition to nail you big time,” he said.

He urged the President to leave office at the end of his current term.

“Retire in dignity in 2029. You don’t need endless demonstrations to end your successful political career.”

The comments followed the filing of a writ at the Supreme Court by Ganiwu Alhassan, a teacher from Kpandai in the Northern Region, seeking an interpretation of Article 66(2) of the 1992 Constitution.

The suit argues that the constitutional provision limiting a president to two terms should be interpreted to apply only to two consecutive terms, rather than two non-consecutive terms.

The plaintiff is asking the court to declare that a person who has served two separate, non-consecutive terms is not barred from contesting the presidency again.

President Mahama, who is serving a second presidential term after returning to office following an eight-year break, has repeatedly said he has no intention of seeking a third term or amending the Constitution to allow one.

Most recently, during a visit to Singapore in August 2025, Mahama reaffirmed that he would respect the constitutional two-term limit.