The New Patriotic Party in the Bongo Constituency of the Upper East Region is ringing alarm bells over threats on the life of Diana Aburiya, Parliamentary Candidate of the NPP for Bongo.
At a Press Conference on Saturday, the party in the constituency explained that it was taken aback by a video circulating on social media platforms that urges people to set the parliamentary candidate on fire.
In the video, a man, whose name has been given as Azabra Godwin Aduko, is heard making inciteful comments after accusing the NPP parliamentary candidate of only visiting the place because she wants votes and doling out monies ostensibly to induce voters.
Speaking in Gurene, he is heard saying “everyone should look. I have never seen this woman here. I have never seen this woman here. It is during this campaign season that I am seeing her here. It is because of the political period that you people are here giving elders, Chiefs money. This one, anyone who sees this one, should fetch fire and light her up. Have you heard, don’t leave her. Fetch fire and light her up. That is why they have said ” change to reset Ghana”.
Though the party has officially reported to the Ghana Police Service over the threats, it said is alarmed by the threats and what they describe as increasing attempts to intimidate the NPP in the constituency.
Addressing the news conference, Johnson Anaane Ayikene, Secretary of the NPP in the Bongo Constituency, noted with grim face that such threats are not only unwarranted but is also an attempt to undermine the democratic processes.
He believes that it is also an attempt to intimidate the NPP in the constituency, a move, he says, would not work.
“This treacherous act, which was spread across various social media platforms shortly after our candidate’s visit to the area, is a clear attempt to intimidate both our candidate and the many supporters of the NPP. It is also a dangerous effort to undermine the democratic process in our country”.
Mr. Ayikene, expressed surprise that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Bongo Constituency and the Upper East Region have not taken action on the matter so far.
“Their conspicuous silence on the matter raises serious concerns and leads us to believe that the NDC and their Parliamentary Candidate may be complicit in this despicable act of threats and intimidation aimed at their main political opponent,” he said.
“Furthermore, given that these threats come from an individual who not only resides in the NDC candidate’s electoral area but who also refers to him as a “brother,” goes to deepened their complacency. The close relationship between the perpetrator and the NDC candidate leaves us with valid reasons to question the party’s involvement in, or at least tacit approval of, this shameful act”.
