NPP reacts to "Tamale Riots" allegations

The Executive of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Tamale have condemned allegations by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the NPP was leading security personnel to arrest and harass NDC members after recent violence in Tamale.

They said it was unfortunate that Mr Iddrisu Harruna, the National Youth Organiser of the NDC and Mr John Mahama, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bole, who are both citizens of the area should accuse the security agencies of arresting only NDC members suspected to be perpetrators of the attacks on NPP supporters.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Regional Chairman of the NPP, Alhaji Salifu Abdulrahmani.

It said the two stalwarts of the NDC should have visited Tamale to "ascertain the extent of damage and the gravity of the atrocities committed rather than sitting down in Accra and pointing accusing fingers just to score cheap political points."

The statement said the NPP had facts to buttress its point that the Tamale riots was not political as being speculated but rather related to the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis.

It said since the crisis began last year, NDC flags had replaced those of other political parties in Dagbon, creating the impression that only NPP and NDC exist in Dagbon.

The statement said during the recent riots no non-Dagomba NPP activist was attacked or had his property vandalised.

''Even NDC members who are believed to members of the Abudu Gate were attacked and had their properties destroyed'', the statement said.

The statement said the party was of the view that the attacks on the NPP activists was a calculated plan by some politicians to frustrate the efforts of the government and the international community at seeking a lasting solution to the Dagbon crisis.

He, however, appealed to the government, as a matter of urgency, to resettle the displaced families and foot their medical bills whilst arrangements are made to compensate those who have lost their property.