The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has complained about what it described as unlawful acts being meted out to party functionaries in the Northern Region.
For instance, the Member of Parliament for Tolon-Kumbugu, Mr Abdulai Salifu has been banned by the District Chief Executive (DCE) from going to his constituency.
Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, General Secretary of the NDC who disclosed this to the media at Tamale on Monday said according to the DCE, the MP was a security threat to his constituency. He did not give further details.
Alhaji Yahaya who interacted with the media after a news conference by the regional branch of the NDC to complain about the cancellation of the December 31anniversary celebration by the Regional Security Council and the police also mentioned that the NDC congress at Tolon was banned by the chief of the area and also the offices and posters of the party were vandalized.
According to him NDC supporters at Tolon and Bole were molested and attempt by the party to seek redress from the police proved futile.
Alhaji Yahaya complained about hostile attitude of some journalists against the NDC who often overlooked any unconstitutional acts against the party activists and supporters.
He appealed to the media to ensure rule of law and cautioned that any attempt by the media to sacrifice their constitutional role for political expediency could be injurious to democracy in the country.
The NDC general secretary spoke about the hierarchy of the party and explained that there was nothing wrong or illegitimate about the two titles of founder and leader of the party bestowed on President Jerry Rawlings.
He said contrary to opinions by some political commentators the two titles were bestowed on the former President in 1998 at Takoradi during the national congress of NDC. He indicated that the two titles were enshrined in Article Five (5) of the NDC constitution and wondered how genuine commentators could claim ignorance of that.
Alhaji Yahaya therefore described as unfortunate a publication in one of the private national newspapers that sought to create the impression that the two titles conferred on the former President was illegitimate because it was not in the records of the Electoral Commission.
He accused the paper of skewing the facts in an attempt to embarrass the former President and also expose the party to all sort of bashing by political commentators.
Alhaji Yahaya used the occasion to appeal to the media to be guided by the truth as enjoined by their profession in order to be able to uphold the principles of the constitution.
