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23.05.2015 NPP

Tension In NPP – Over U/E Chairman's murder

By Daily Guide
Tension In NPP 8211; Over UE Chairman's murder
23.05.2015 LISTEN

Paul Afoko, National Chairman
Emotions are running high in the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) following the murder of its Upper East Regional Chairman, Adams Mahama.

Adams died early Thursday morning after suffering an acid attack the previous night from persons he was said to have mentioned before his death.

One person whose name has been given as Gregory Afoko – said to be the brother of NPP National Chairman, Paul Afoko – has so far been arrested in connection with the crime while the police are hunting for his supposed accomplice.

A day after Adams' sudden death at the Bolgatanga Government Hospital, angry party supporters were still massing up at the party's headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra to vent their anger on the leadership of the party, demanding the resignation of the national chairman, whose brother has been implicated in the case.

Reason
This was after a statement purported to have been signed by Assin Central Member of Parliament (MP), Kennedy Agyapong, had gone viral on the social media that he was asking party supporters to mass up at the headquarters at 2pm to demand the immediate resignation of Mr Afoko.

Even though the statement turned out to be false – since NPP National Youth Organiser, Sammi Awuku and Kennedy Agyapong denied issuing any such statement or making calls to the supporters to assemble – a considerable number of party supporters besieged the headquarters.

But even before they arrived there, a team of anti-riot policemen had been dispatched to the area to prevent possible clashes and protect lives and property.

The previous day, angry NPP youth in Bolga also warned Paul Afoko and General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong, not to come to the region or attend the burial of the late Adams Mahama, which is scheduled for today.

Meanwhile, Mr Kennedy Agyapong and another founding member of the NPP in the Ashanti Region, George Ayisi Boateng, have added their voices to calls for Mr Afoko to step aside or resign honourably from his post.

On Thursday, the party's internal (private) security, the Invisible Forces, seized the party headquarters after police had managed to calm tension there, declaring the place a 'no go area' for the NPP National Chairman and the General Secretary.

Until 'justice is done', leadership of the Invisible Forces have warned, the duo would not be allowed to enter there.

Fear Grips Afoko
Paul Afoko said he has been compelled by circumstances to stay indoors, probably for fear of being attacked.

Speaking on Asempa FM's 'Ekosii Sen' political programme yesterday, he asked party supporters to remain firm behind him and his General Secretary 'in these trying times.'

He has also called for cool heads to prevail to enable the police to do thorough investigations to find the killers of the late Adams Mahama.

Awuku's Reaction
National Youth Organiser, Sammi Awuku, later issued a statement denying any attempt by him and Kennedy Agyapong to get the National Chairman to resign.

'I wish to state in clear and unequivocal terms that the content of the statement does not in any way reflect my thinking and position on the current happenings in our party and should therefore be treated with disdain and with utmost contempt,' he stated.

Instead, Awuku noted that 'throughout this challenging moment, what I have called for is for utmost calm from party faithful, especially the youth, whiles the leadership of the party works hand-in-hand with the security agencies…'

The body of the late Adams Mahama is expected to be interred today in his hometown under Muslim religious rites.

Family Calls For Calm
Meanwhile, family of the deceased has asked the youth in the party to unite and stay calm.

Family spokesman, Muhazu Issaka, who spoke on a number of radio stations, said the family was shocked by the incident but decided to leave everything to God.

He has therefore stressed the need for the rank and file to allow the police to do proper investigations into the murder of their kinsman for the perpetrators of the dastardly act to be brought to book.

By Charles Takyi-Boadu

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