Don't dare... Mahama cautions election trouble makers

All those whose lust for power will make them engage in any acts of violence during the forthcoming national elections have been warned to keep off.

Well built men, popularly referred to as “machomen” who because of their physique are rented by political groups to breach the rules of engagements regarding the conduct of elections in this country have also been penciled down to be dealt with should they dare.

President John Dramani Mahama, who sent the loudest warning last Saturday, stressed that the police have been equipped to rise up to the occasion in this regard.

He advised young energetic men not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to undertake acts of hooliganism, saying they should rather tell the politicians to use their relatives for such violence services.

Addressing the chiefs and people in the Upper West regional capital of Wa, Mr. Mahama indicated that there is the need for a cordial relationship between the civilians and the law enforcement agencies, but that relationship cannot be sustained if the civilians are seen to be creating an atmosphere which would disturb the peace and security of the nation.

He said the elections should be held under peace and security in order that at the end of the day the process will be free and fair.

According to President Mahama, the late President Mills pledged to keep the country in one peace before, during and after the elections and that, as his successor, he is totally committed to see that happen.

The President, who is the chairman of the Police and Armed Forces Council, further revealed that logistics, such as vehicles and communication gadgets, have been acquired by the government to boost the operations of the police.

About 700 out of a total 1,240 vehicles have been procured and that in due time the rest will arrive to be distributed to the various commands, he added.

Aside from cautioning trouble makers, he called on motorbike riders to exercise caution in the manner in which they go about their riding in order not to cause avoidable accidents.

Mr. Mahama, who spoke on a wide range of issues, set the tone to sweeping all the votes in the Upper West Region when he officially gets the endorsement at this week's special delegate's congress in Kumasi.

In view of that he has indicated to the chiefs and people of the region his readiness to come back to the region to campaign for their votes.

“I will be back for us to talk politics but for now it is thank you,” he told highly charged enthusiastic supporters who gathered at the Jubilee Park, to welcome him to the region on the sixth of his regional thank you tour.

On his part, the president of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, Naa Gori Suhimwnenye, noted that he is the second President from the north, after the late Dr. Hilla Limann, and expects him to exhibit tolerance, hard work and honesty.

He assured the President of their support and urged other political parties to emulate the example of Mr. Mahama who has called his team of communicators to go about their duties devoid of insults and intemperate language.