Savelugu clashes: President holds key to solution – Chairman

The constituency chairman of the New Patriotic Party in Savelugu has said the party is looking up to the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to resolve the confusion that rocked the constituency following the nomination and subsequent confirmation of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE).

Mr Alhassan Sani says the president is the appointing authority and is the only one who can bring an amicable resolution to the matter.

“Now we are looking for the president. He has the solution to it, because he appointed the MCE,” he stated.

He said he had made several unsuccessful attempts to meet the youth to resolve the matter. According to him the youth are not interested in listening to any advice contrary to the agenda they are pursuing.

Hajia Ayishetu Seidu has not known peace ever since she was nominated by the president as MCE for Savelugu. The youth of the NPP in the area called on the president to withdraw her nomination, but their call was not heeded to.

The nominee subsequently received an overwhelming endorsement by members of the assembly. She however could not report to start her official duties barely a month after she was confirmed.

On Wednesday June 14, she reported to work amidst heavy security. This angered the youth the more who mobilized and pitched camp at the premises of the assembly on Thursday June 15. The youth overpowered the few policemen who were at the assembly and succeeded in locking up one of the policemen.

This prompted the police to call for reinforcement from Tamale. When the second batch of police arrived, a scuffle ensued between the youth and the police, resulting in people sustaining various degrees of injuries. Some motorbikes belonging to the rampaging youth were shot at by the police, destroying most of them.

Speaking on Radio Tamale’s morning show, Wake up Tamale, Mr Sani condemned the action of the youth and said they acted out self-interest and not in the interest of the party or the municipality.

He discounted claims that the executives of the party in the constituency were in support of the youth. He said as the chairman of the party, even though he was not happy with the president’s decision to nominate Hajia Ayishetu, he was obliged to respect and fully support the decision of the president.

“They are lying, it’s not true. Why am I supporting these wrong behaviours? The chairman and the executives must stand for the president’s decision,” he stated

He however agreed with assertions that Hajia Ayishetu was not a known party member in the constituency.

“As for that one it’s true. Some of [their] statements are true, but they have to be patient. Hajia didn’t come on any platform to campaign for the party, but president said she supported the party a lot. We didn’t see it, but the president said she supported the party a lot, that’s why the president is giving her the opportunity. The president said it,” Mr Sani alleged.

He revealed that another group was preparing to stage a counter demonstration in favour of the Hajia Ayishetu.