"All die be die" is an idiomatic expression - Agyarko

Campaign Manager for flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Boakye Kyeremanten Agyarko has jumped to the defence of the party’s flagbearer, pointing out that Nana Akufo Addo’s “all die be die” remark which seems to have stirred the hornets' nest, is just an idiomatic expression and needs not be misconstrued.

According to him, Nana Akufo Addo’s comment was made at the backdrop of consistent complaints received by the NPP from within and without, on how the NDC intimidated and plans to intimidate their (NPP) members in the 2012 election.

The Flagbearer of the opposition NPP, addressing party supporters in the Eastern Region on Tuesday February 8, was emphatic that the NPP will not tolerate any intimidation from the NDC in the 2012 General Elections, adding the party was founded with courageous and bold people who are ready to die for it if need be to wrestle political power in 2012. He therefore urged NPP supporters to be ready to face their political opponents boot for boot in 2012.

Nana Addo’s remarks have been roundly condemned by some sections of the public, particularly the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) party, with some suggesting the “all die be die” comments confirms that the NPP flagbearer is truly a "warmonger."

Propaganda Secretary of the NDC, Richard Quashigah, in an interview with CitiFM described the comments as unfortunate and indicative that Nana Addo is a "desperate person wanting to be President."

But Mr. Boakye Agyarko, who stoutly defended his leader’s position, noted that the NDC over the years has taken the NPP as a weakling and it is time the NPP rose up to the challenge. He was dismissive of assertions that Nana Akufo Addo is brewing war and inciting the youth of the party to fight.

Speaking in an interview on Joy News, he explained that Nana Akufo Addo was only exhorting the party faithfuls to rise beyond what the NDC sees them to be and defend themselves if the NDC brings it on. He cited the Atiwa and Chereponi bye-elections as classic examples where the NDC openly threatened and physically assaulted NPP activists in the full glare of the security agencies.

“Nothing has been done about the DCE who pulled and fired a gun during the election at Chereponi, but the police always come with the same reason of looking into the case…the NPP will not run away but will stand and face any threat or attack that will come from the NDC,” he vowed.