The New Patriotic party has warned against what it described as clandestine moves on the part of the police in collaboration with National Democratic Congress to frustrate its rally scheduled to take place on Sunday July 5 in Tongo the capital of Talensi district ahead of the by-election on Tuesday.
In a press conference addressed by some national executives of the party at the party office in Bolgatanga on Saturday July 4, national 1st Vice Chairman of the party Freddy Blay said the party is highly aware of some awkward attempts by the police to frustrate its planned grand rally to be attended by the flag bearer of the party though it has fulfilled all constitutional and legal requirements by notifying the police of the rally much earlier than the NDC.
According to the party, the sudden change of position by the regional police command to ask the NPP not to hold the rally on the said date and at a scheduled venue with the explanation that the NDC had earlier written to notify the police of their rally on same day and at the same venue is a clear manifestation of efforts by the police and the NDC to stop them from holding the rally.
“For the sake of peace, we even suggested to DCOP Afeku and his Deputy Commander Oweridu Nkansah that we were prepared to shift the venue (as already suggested in the Police letter) to the adjacent town for the same day.
A couple of hours after the meeting, the Police Commander called back to say they would not even allow us to hold the rally at the second option, which is Winkongo. It is worth noting that this second venue (Winkongo) was even first proposed by the Police themselves to us last Thursday.
The only conclusion we can draw from this is that the Regional Police Command is not dealing with this issue based on its own professional assessment of the situation. It appears not to be in control of the situation and has, sadly, ceded its authority to be fair, just, impartial and professional to the NDC all in the Government’s desperate bid to score a propaganda victory in Talensi”
It added that the police assured the NPP of the go ahead to hold the rally based on its first come first serve policy and hence the shocking turn by the same police to stop them because of an excuse that the NDC wrote much earlier and that the NDC’s letter got missing is simply untrue.
“The explanation from the Police was that due to an “administrative error”, they had misplaced an earlier notification letter which they claim was presented by the NDC. So, they gave the green light to the NPP in error and would now like the NPP to shift its rally to give the NDC the “right” of place.
The Regional Commander’s letter made a suggestion which he, himself, in less than 12 hours went back on, whiles negotiations were still ongoing with us. He wrote in his letter favouring the NDC that, “To avoid any breach of the peace of the voting date of 07/07/15, we are suggesting you change either the location or the date proposed.” The statement said.
The statement further warned of some repercussions which might occur if the police continues to bend over backwards to submit to the political wishes of the ruling National Democratic Congress.
“The New Patriotic Party is very much concerned about the way the Regional Police Command appears to be bending over backwards to submit to the political wishes of the ruling Party and all in clear breach of the sovereign laws of the land. It is an affront on the integrity and professionalism of the Police Service. Their loyalty is to the State, the Constitution and the sovereign people of Ghana and not to any political party.
If these acts of blatant and unlawful bias are not stopped but continued to the polling day of the by-elections on July 7, we are afraid it could cause some serious security concerns. It could most likely be worse in 2016 when stakes are much higher”.
It is however unclear what the way forward will be after what appears at this moment to be a stand-lock between the New Patriotic Party and the police.
By: Azongo Albert | A1radioonline.com | Ghana
