President has the right to appoint MCE without permission from Savelugu youth - Minister

The deputy minister of Regional Organisation and Development, Martin Agyei-Mensah has said the Savelugu residents protesting the appointment of the Municipal Chief Executive have no grounds to do so.

According to Mr. Agyei-Mensah, the president does not require permission from the residents to determine who to appoint as the MCE for the district.

The former director of elections for the party stated the president, as a constitutional right, is allowed to select any candidate he believes is the right person for the job.

Mr Agyei-Mensah in an interview on Okay FM, further opined that the security agencies in the area take over the situation and arrest any person that attempts to stop the MCE from performing her official duties.

The minister's comments follow the current disturbance ongoing in the Savelugu/Nanton district in the Northern Region, where a group of angry NPP supporters have tried to disrupt the newly appoint MCE's work.

Hajia Ayishetu Seidu was only able to visit her office to begin her official duty as Municipal Chief Executive this week, as some members of the party have tried to prevent from working.

The supporters state Hajia Seidu bribed her way to victory and is not one of them, hence she has no business representing the district. There have been a number of angry demonstrations against her appointment, the most recent leading to a clash between the protesters and the police at the district assembly's premises.

The clash led to several members of assembly sustaining various injuries. Hajia Seidu is said to now have an armed escort when she heads to work, as the group have promised to continue causing chaos at her office until she is removed from post.

They also threatened to harm anyone that showed support for the MCE, adding they will take up this fight even if it jeopardized their personal security.

However, the minister has refuted these protests, saying it is necessary that party supporters be informed on the negative implications their actions would have on the party. "If they are indeed NPP members then it is not good for the image of the party.

The president does not need the clearance of Savelugu youth to appoint MCE for the area. If the person is not qualified the point is to stop him/her during the confirmation. They had every right to campaign against her prior to the confirmation," he said.