Nana Addo is Commander in Chief of vigilante groups - Mahdi Gibril

A former deputy organizer of the opposition National Did Democratic Congress (NDC), Mahdi Gibril, has described President Nana Akufo-Addo as the commander in chief of vigilante groups.

Reacting to the response by the President Akufo-Addo following an appeal by the NDC to have mediators facilitate the meeting to disband vigilante groups owned by the two major political parties, Mr Gibril said, it was sad for the president to turn down the call.

The position taken by the president he noted exposes his lack of commitment towards the disbandment of vigilante groups.

He said, "the NPP prior to the 2016 elections brought in mercenaries to train their men because they claim they did not trust the police service.

After winning the polls, some of his vigilante groups attacked some appointees and he [Nana Addo] affirmed he knew them. Kennedy Agyapong then threatened to deal with the party should they attempt disbanding the groups which he said did a lot for the party.’’

‘’So you have a leader who is the commander in chief of vigilante groups. He has agreed that the NPP as a party, have vigilante groups. Nana Addo is a weak leader and cannot run away from the challenges confronting us today,’’ he added.

"If President Akufo-Addo is genuine and wants to disband these groups, why is he running away from the call to have other stakeholders join the dialogue meant to disband these groups.? He knows these vigilante groups protect him and so cannot disband them.”

But a communicator with the NPP, Nana K rubbished his submission and said the president has shown commitment towards the disbandment of vigilante groups.

The call by the president he said must be accepted in good faith.

The NDC and NPP should meet and solve their own problem without any mediation by body or group, he said.

He challenged the NDC to come to the table without their conditions and has said the president will initiate a legislation to disband the groups.