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General News of Saturday, 23 May 2015

Source: tv3network.com

NPP infighting now a national security issue - Police

The Ghana Police Service says the current tension building up among the rank and file of the opposition New Patriotic Party, is a matter of national security concern. The police says it will not leave anything to chance as far as the protection of lives and property is concerned.

Tension is rising in some parts of the country among NPP folks following the sudden demise of the party's Upper East Regional Chairman, Adams Mahama, who was bathed with acid and died later at the Bolgatanga Hospital.

Angry party members have alleged some top executives in the party may have a hand in his demise because they had scores to settle with him before he died suddenly.

Although police are investigating the matter and have since arrested one suspect, Gregory Afoko, who coincidentally is a brother to the party's National Chairman Paul Afoko, the suspicions and tension keeps rising.

Some angry youth led by NPP MP for Assin-Central Kennedy Agyapong, have begun a crusade demanding the resignation or removal of the party Chairman and the General Secretary even before the late stalwart is buried on Saturday May 23.

The Police says it remains on top of issues for now and says the fallout of the demise are now a matter of national security concern.

Nima Divisional Police Commander, Superintendent Nuhu Janga, said this in an interview with journalists at the party's Headquarters Friday.

"As for police, we are always prepared but there is nothing unusual as far as security is concerned for now. Things appear calm and everybody is going about his or her duties; yet we are on standby always to monitor the situation as long as our intelligence tells us. It's now a national issue and not just a matter that concerns the police so security is strictly controlled by the police as far as I know. If there is another security apparatus, I am not aware of that. We are always prepared; whatever the time is".

The National Organizer of the party, John Boadu, has however told TV3 News the police is working closely with the party's internal security to achieve maximum law and order.

He claimed the party's headquarters was opened for normal work to go ahead.

But TV3's Ebenezer Agyekum who reported from the party Headquarters at Asylum Down Friday afternoon, said no activities were ongoing at the headquarters as officials were not available there.

He also reported that the area looks calm except the presence of police officers despite reports that some agitated youth are massing up to demonstrate to demand for the removal of the party Chairman.