By-election violence: Investigate the horrendous crimes and prosecute the culprits now – Alabi to police

Flagbearer hopeful of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Joshua Alabi has vehemently condemned the attack meted out to some persons during the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency by-elections on Thursday and is urging the police to act swiftly in order to bring perpetrators to book.

The NDC withdrew from the poll few hours after voting began following a number of violence recorded in parts of the constituency during the by-election.

There are claims some National Security Operatives fired gunshots at a polling centre at La Bawaleshie, resulting in the injury of about six persons said to be NDC supporters.

Responding to the development in a press statement, Prof. Alabi said the violence was uncalled for.

“I wish to absolutely condemn these acts of violence being visited upon law abiding citizens who are exercising a democratic right to vote in an election,” he says.

“The Ghana Police Service owes itself a duty to explain the use of such an unknown unit in a by-election of this sort, investigate the horrendous crimes committed today and prosecute the culprits in no time.”

Alabi further entreated party supporters to be firm and support the NDC to clinch victory come 2020.

He says: “While I lend my support to the national leadership of our party as they address these matters through democratic means, I wish to call on party supporters to be resolute and not be intimidated by persons who believe that the only way to win political power is to deploy force and violence.”



Below is the full statement:

VIOLENCE IN THE AYAWASO WEST WUOGON BY-ELECTION; A SCAR ON OUR DEMOCRACY

I have been informed of the incidence of shooting and other related acts of violence in unprovoked attacks, resulting in some members of our great NDC party sustaining serious injuries during the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency by-election.

While I commiserate with the injured and traumatized victims, I wish to absolutely condemn these acts of violence being visited upon law abiding citizens who are exercising a democratic right to vote in an election.

I have also been briefed about the unusual activities of supposed police men clad in unfamiliar uniforms with masks, armed with AK-47 assault rifles with no badge numbers or name tags and patrolling within the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency in a manner that voters find intimidating.

The Ghana Police Service owes itself a duty to explain the use of such an unknown unit in a by-election of this sort, investigate the horrendous crimes committed today and prosecute the culprits in no time.

While I lend my support to the national leadership of our party as they address these matters through democratic means, I wish to call on party supporters to be resolute and not be intimidated by persons who believe that the only way to win political power is to deploy force and violence.

The use of violence in elections and within the conduct of any democratic exercise cannot and will not be countenanced in the run up to the 2020 general elections. The government and all State institutions mandated to maintain law and order must remain loyal to our sacred Constitution and rid our politics of all forms of violence.

I wish the injured NDC members a speedy recovery and assure them of my sincerest sympathies and utmost support in these difficult times.