NPP congratulates NDC for winning Asawasi bye-election

Kumasi, April 22, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has sent a message of congratulation to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for retaining the Asawasi Constituency seat in the bye-elections held in Kumasi on Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the party in Kumasi on Friday in the aftermath of the election, Mr Haruna Esseku, the National Chairman, however, expressed regret that the campaign by their opponents was not really fought on substance and issues and truth-telling, but on tribalism and verifiable falsehood, which were misleading. He blamed the NDC for diverting attention to seek support and sympathy among the people especially during the opening hours of the voting process.

The NDC hired goons and created nasty scenes by beating up known NPP agents at selected polling stations, fired guns in the air and attacked innocent bystanders, he said.

Mr Esseku also said the result of those diabolic tactics was that their supporters did not turn up in their numbers to vote because of fear and intimidation.

The National chairman of the NPP explained that even five of their agents were put in police cells as a result of such actions whilst they were beaten and verbal abuses rained on them. Mr Esseku added that two of their people who received injuries were receiving medical attention.

He also said the show of force and alleged beating up of a reporter in the evening and the fact that teeming supporters of the NDC who converged at the gates of the compilation centre prevented people including the media from entering, confirmed the real violent situation at Asawasi.

The party further congratulated the police and other security agents for their presence, adding that, "one shudders to think what would have happened if they were not present at all".

Mr Esseku noted that, "our young democracy is becoming difficult but we should accept that those in the NPP believe in multi-party democracy and we are much determined to make it work".

In attendance were Mr Stephen Ntim, First National Vice-Chairman, Mr Eddy Annan, acting General Secretary and Mr Mustapha Ali, National Youth Organiser.