NPP calls for security alert in Odododiodoo

Accra, Aug. 26, GNA- The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Friday called on the security agencies to be on high alert to prevent any form of violence during and after the the Odododiodoo by-election. Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Mr Haruna Esseku, National Chairman of the Party, said the current situation at the constituency was not palatable and that there was the need to put up the appropriate mechanism to ensure that peace in the area was not compromised for any political reason.

He said the NPP had sworn to uphold the tenets of democracy and good governance and would not involve in any act that had the tendency of undermining their tradition and belief as well the stability of the country.

"We are aware that other parties, which were founded on violence or believe in violence as a philosophy, are attempting to take advantage of the Party's tolerance".

Mr Esseku accused National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters of mounting barriers to track down NPP supporters and subjecting them to severe beatings after they returned from a campaign trip at Bukom on Wednesday night.

"As they proceeded to dismantle the barriers, they were set upon by people, who were clearly identifiable as supporters of NDC", he added. The Party Chairman said the thugs consequently went ahead to vandalize the vehicle of the NPP National Organiser, Mr Lord Commey, which was photographed and sent to James Town Police Station. He also criticised other political opponents of mobilising supporters to heckle the NNP Parliamentary Candidate for Odododiodoo, Asafoatse Mankatta when he took his turn to address a gathering during the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Town Hall debate organised for the contesting candidates.

Mr Esseku accused the NDC of importing thugs from Bawku to harass and intimidate NPP supporters to win the Asawase seat.

He noted: "If the NDC or any of the other opposing parties believe they can continue to misbehave, or think they can win power through violence, then they have a new thinking coming."

Mr Esseku warned the NDC and other cohorts, who thought politics connoted killing and maiming, to be on their guard since the NPP would not allow itself to be intimated in any way.

"We will not use violence to answer their violence, but they should be reminded that there is law in this country," he said