Undue delay in appointment of MMDCEs cause of riots – Kasambata

Abu kasambata, former Upper West Deputy Regional Minister has said the delay in the nomination of Chief Executives for the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) is what resulted in Wednesday’s riots in some parts of the country.

According to Mr Kasambata, even though the constitution of the country does not give the president a timeline for appointing the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), the agitations could be avoided if it had been done earlier.

“…but the same constitution does not stipulate time or a framework for the president to nominate his MMDCEs to represent him at the district level. But in my view, the president over delayed the appointments of the MMDCEs and once the president over delayed you realize that interest groups will emerge with their expectations,” he said.

Following the announcement of the nomination of 112 MMDCEs, some youth of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) protested against some of the nominees, went on rampage and vandalized party and state properties.

At Savelugu in the Northern region, party properties were set ablaze by the irate youth in protest against the nomination of Hajia Ayishetu Seidu
The regent and youth of Tolon also kicked against the nomination of Hajia Amama Shaibu and have called on the president to withdraw her nomination.

Prior to the announcement, the Northern regional Minister, Mr Salifu Saeed met with the NPP regional and constituency executives to avert any possible agitation from the youth, but this was not enough to prevent them from embarking on the protests.

The actions of the youth have received nationwide condemnation across the political divide with calls on the security to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.

Speaking to Radio Tamale’s morning show, Wake Up Tamale, Mr Kasambata, who is also the Acting Executive Director of Savannah Ecological Development (SED), urged the youth to accept the nominees and support them to deliver.

He also urged the president to engage all stakeholders to find an amicable resolution to the impasse.