The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, over what it termed “criminal conduct” by two officials of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the just-ended Akwatia by-election.
The two, the National Vice-Chairman, Awudu Sofo Azorka, alias Chairman Azorka and the NDC’s Constituency Communications officer for Abuakwa North, Abdul Wahab Amadu, are alleged to have threatened and verbally and physically assaulted members of the NPP, including Members of Parliament (MPs) during the Akwatia by-election held last Tuesday.
According to the petition signed by the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, during the by-election, Chairman Azorka engaged in actions that threatened public safety, undermined the democratic process, and created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
Context
In a widely circulated video from the by-election, Mr Azorka is heard saying: “If I had met Afenyo-Markin (Minority Leader in Parliament), I swear to God, there would have been a by-election in his constituency.”
Chairman Azorka was fuming over the alleged removal of campaign posters of the NDC Parliamentary candidate by Mr Afenyo-Markin.
“This reckless statement unmistakably implied a threat on the life of Alexander Afenyo-Markin. In the same video, when asked whether campaign posters had truly been torn down.
Mr Azorka himself admitted that upon his arrival, he was informed nothing had been removed. This admission confirms that his threatening outburst was wholly unprovoked and deliberate,” the petition said.
The letter said such direct threat against an MP and public official constitutes a clear violation of the law, and must attract the appropriate legal consequences.
The letter alleged that at the Akwatia Lorry Station polling station, Chairman Azorka was seen in a widely circulated video verbally abusing and shouting at the top of his voice at Alhaji Osman Masawudu, the third National Vice-Chairman of the NPP.
He forcefully pushed Alhaji Masawudu and had a brush on his face, particularly the nose, after which a member of Azorko’s thugs slapped him in the full glare of the public.
The letter alleged that Mr Azorka’s actions, including alleged threats to kill both Afenyo-Markin and Alhaji Masawudu, as reported by credible sources, incited fear and risked escalating tensions in an already sensitive electoral environment.
It said such conduct potentially discouraged some voters from exercising their democratic rights and undermined the integrity of the by-election.
Amadu
In the case of Amadu, he also allegedly threatened the lives of some leading members of the NPP while swearing by Allah.
Speaking in Twi, he said: “Annoh Dompreh, Nana B; if they joke, wallahi, they will all die. I swear God.
I swear by my late father in his grave, Afenyo-Markin, Annoh Dompreh, Nana B, they are the people we are looking for in this by-election.
We are waiting for them.
We are ready for them”
A pen drive containing all the recordings in support of the petition to assist the police with investigation and subsequent actions was attached to the letter.
