By-election Violence: A Clear Case of Lawlessness And Impunity - JJ

Former Deputy Minister of Energy and Petroleum, John Abdulai Jinapor has slammed President Nana Akufo-Addo over the violence that erupted during the by-election at Ayawaso West Wuogon on Thursday, January 31, 2019.

The by-election was characterized by violent attacks when some faceless security personnel stormed the Bawaleshie Presby electoral area at the constituency, shooting at the electorates and injuring eight of them.

Due to the violent attacks on the electorates, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and their Parliamentary candidate, Delali Kwasi Brempong pulled out of the elections.

However, the elections continued in all the 137 polling stations with the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Lydia Seyram Alhassan declared winner in the elections.

She polled 12,041 votes while the NDC candidate polled 5,341 votes to win the elections by a landslide victory.

Addressing the issue on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', the former Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Yapei/Kusawgu in the Northern Region told host Kwami Sefa Kayi that President Akufo-Addo as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the State security should be fully blamed for the clashes in the elections.

He wondered why the State security apparatus would sit on the fence and watch the electorate sustain gun wounds.

To him, the incident is a "clear case of lawlessness" and shouldn't be encouraged.

“God save this country. This is a clear case of lawlessness. This is a clear case of impunity,” he said.

He denied claims that the shooting incident was ignited by members and supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) saying "I don’t think it’s an NPP affair. I don’t see it as an NPP affair at all. It’s the State security that has failed and let’s put it right there that the State security has failed. The State has a responsibility to ensure the citizen goes about their duty without fear and without intimidation. The Commander-in-Chief is the President. I’m interested in NPP candidate. We voted for President Akufo-Addo to uphold peace and security. To the extent that it has failed, President ought to be spoken to and should sit up”.

He therefore expects a word from the President to the victims of the incident.