The Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Haruna Mohammed, has issued a stern warning to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), cautioning them against any acts of violence in the ongoing Akwatia by-election.
Haruna Mohammed alleged that the NDC was plotting to disrupt the polls but stressed that the NPP had put measures in place to protect its members and ensure that voters exercise their rights without intimidation.
He declared, “The election will be postponed if you attack us today. We will not allow intimidation or violence to derail this process.”
Recounting incidents on the ground, the Deputy Chief scribe said tensions flared in Junassi, where NDC supporters allegedly threatened even police officers.
“It’s really one place that I went, which is Junassi, that we had the NDC people come and threaten even the police. We told the police that we are here for peace. We are not here to intimidate anybody,” he said.
He explained that the NPP had taken a defensive stance to protect its supporters. “As we have said, we have created a firewall around NPP members. We have the right to defence, and we would not trigger. But when it happens, we will defend ourselves,” he stated.
Despite the tensions, he expressed satisfaction with how the process had begun. “So far, the places that I’ve gone, what is in the C.I. [Constitutional Instrument], I’ve asked the necessary questions, and I’ve gotten the relevant answers. We are very much satisfied with the process that has started so far. And I believe that I want this place to be as peaceful as it is from morning to the end of the election,” he explained.
He further praised the professionalism of security agencies deployed to the constituency. “The police are very professional. There is no intimidation from the police,” he noted, though he warned that his team was monitoring claims that NDC was planning to deploy non-police personnel in uniforms.
On the party’s chances, he expressed confidence of victory but warned against any violent attempt to overturn the will of the people.
“There is nothing that is stopping us from winning the seat. Except if there is violence… Because the NDC will be losing. And because they are in power and they have overused their power, they believe that they can use it anyway. And this is a place to stop. They cannot use it here. And if they use it, then maybe the elections would have to be called off,” he warned.
Explaining the presence of NPP supporters around polling stations, he said, “It’s a firewall. Yes, they are our citizens. And have the right to movement, free movement.”
He also sent a strong appeal to voters: “What I would tell them is that they should hurry up and go out to vote. Time runs. We need peace for Akwatia. We need a representation for Akwatia.”
Finally, he criticised the governing NDC for neglecting the constituency in its development plans.
“We know that we have done a lot of work for the good people of Akwatia. Unfortunately, we have lost power; the NDC demonstrated that they don’t have plans to develop Akwatia. That is why in their 2025 budget, they have put nothing in there to develop the constituency. In their mid-year review of the budget, they have put nothing in the Big Push. Absolutely nothing for 2025. The NDC is very much certain that they don’t want to do anything in Akwatia,” he argued.
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