Yammin angry with NDC for dumping him over vigilante comments

Joseph Yammin has said he is disappointed in the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for issuing a disclaimer against some comments he is purported to have made, without giving him the opportunity to respond before going public with the publication.

The party on Wednesday dissociated itself from a statement allegedly made by its former Ashanti Regional Secretary that the party will not disband its militia groups.

Mr Yammin, who has been pointed out as the chief financier of the Hawks militia of the NDC is reported to have said the “NDC will not disband The Hawks today, tomorrow or ever”, in spite of a seeming unanimous calls by all Ghanaians, including President Akufo Addo for both the NDC and NPP to disband their vigilante forces.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), in a disclaimer signed by its General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia, said Mr Yammin’s comment does not represent the views and position of the party.

“The party takes a strong view to this issue and has since invited Mr Joseph Yammin to clarify the said reportage”, the statement said.

“The Functional Executive Committee of the NDC wishes to state unequivocally that the above statement does not, in any way, represent the views and/or position of the party. The party wishes to reiterate its unwavering commitment to the process of disbanding all political vigilante or party militia groups in the country.

“Our position on this issue is a matter of public record and has been extensively spelt out in recent correspondences from our National Chairman, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo to the President of the Republic of Ghana. As a law-abiding and peace-loving party, we will continue to support and participate in any effort aimed at ending the culture of political violence.

“The party takes a strong view to this issue and has since invited Mr Joseph Yammin to clarify the said reportage”, the statement directed.

But speaking in a radio interview monitored by MyNewsGh.com in Kumasi on Wednesday, Mr Yammin said he is surprised that the party leadership with all their experience in politics would not consult him for the veracity of the matter before issuing a disclaimer.

He said he finds no reason to appear before the party, because he feels the party has already judged him without recourse to the full details of the said publication it referred to its disclaimer.

He however denied ever making such comments but reiterated his commitment to the Hawks group as long as NPP-affiliated ones like the Delta Forces and Invincible Forces remain.