Sydney Casely Hayford
Social Commentator and Analyst Sydney Casely-Hayford has cautioned the suspended Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Paul Afoko to desist from using violence to challenge the decision of the National Executive Council (NEC), which directed him to step aside.
Mr. Paul Afoko was suspended by the NPP on accusations that he was involved in various acts the party deemed injurious to its fortunes in the 2016 elections.
Mr. Hayford said Saturday that Mr. Afoko should clearly state what he wants and use proper procedures within the NPP to achieve his aim rather than inciting his loyalists to use demonstrations and violence to advance his cause.
“What exactly is the result that he wants? What does he want to gain in all of this? If he says he is trying to protect the constitution, you don’t uphold the constitution by doing it violently,” Mr. Hayford stated on ‘The Big Issue’ on Citi FM.
He pointed out that if Mr. Afoko has any legitimate grievances concerning the laws governing the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition, he should use a more civilised way to carry his message rather than endorsing ferocious acts that will create chaos.
“You uphold the constitution by making recommendations for where you have identified flaws that these things should be corrected. That is the dignified and civilised way to do things.
“You don’t go and start organising demonstrations and stand on platforms to praise the people who came to support you even if you think you have been ill-done by,” he said.
“All that we are seeing now is an uncivilised group of politicians who believe that the only way that they can lead this country is to destabilise one unit for them to gain,” he added. Mr Casely-Hayford’s concerns are in reference to the killing of an NPP member by another NPP member in the Asawase constituency on Friday, over Mr Afoko’s suspension.
The deceased, 37-year-old Abubakar Saddiq was allegedly involved in a scuffle with other party members who had joined constituency executives to picket the party’s headquarters in Accra Thursday.
He is reported to have been part of a group supporting the suspension of Chairman Paul Afoko, and had joined others to lockout and beat pro-Afoko members upon their return from Accra.
