The governing New Patriotic Party has chastised former President John Mahama for threatening to unleash mayhem on the NPP in the 2020 general elections.

John Mahama who was unhappy with the turn of events at the just ended by-election held at the Ayawaso West Wuogon following the attack on some NDC members said they will meet NPP boot for boot in the 2016 polls if the governing party does not tame its vigilante groups to desist from causing unprovoked attacks in the country.

“We are not going to joke in 2020 and I’m sounding a warning to the NPP – we are going to match them boot for boot. I want to sound a caution that NDC has a revolutionary root and when it comes to unleashing violence no one can beat us to that.”

“It is just that we midwifed this country’s democracy and that is why we must be the first to respect it. That is why we are acting like a party that is docile and respecting the rule of law. But if we believe that the government cannot protect our people and we believe that the government is using its vigilante groups and illegal forces to intimidate and harass and injure our people, then we may have to advise ourselves,” he added.

But the governing party is not enthused with the former president’s threats.

“The NPP, in the light of this, condemns unreservedly, the comments of former President John Dramani Mahama, who is threatening to unleash mayhem in the country in election 2020. The former president clearly admitted the violent nature of his party and emphatically stated that ‘when it comes to unleashing violence, no one can beat the NDC in unleashing violence’,” the NPP said in a statement signed by its General Secretary, John Boadu.

“We wish to tell the former president that the NPP is not, will not, and cannot compete with his NDC in unleashing violence on the Ghanaian people. Of course, unlike them, we, in the NPP, do not have a revolutionary root, as he stated. We, however, wish to remind the former president and his NDC that citizens reserve the right to defend themselves even as the security agencies are always poised to deal with trouble causers in accordance with law,” he added.

The governing party also joined numerous calls in condemning the violence recorded on Thursday during by-election.

According to the NPP, the party is founded on the principles of the rule of law and will not tolerate any form of violence.

The NPP also said it remains committed to assisting the police in investigating the shooting incident at Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency and ensure the culprits are made to face the full rigors of the law.

The NPP in the statement also congratulated its candidate for the parliamentary by-election, Lydia Seyiram Alhassan for winning the seat and also thanked party supporters for coming out to vote.

The NPP,  also assured Ghanaians that it will not under any circumstances engage in any activity aimed at creating violence in the country.

Violence in Ayawaso by-election

The NDC pulled out of the election earlier on Thursday following pockets of violence recorded in parts of the constituency during the by-election.

NDC withdrew from the poll few hours after voting began on Thursday, with the claim that some of their agents and members were being assaulted by some persons believed to by sympathizers of the governing NPP.

Some National Security Operatives allegedly fired gunshots at a polling centre at La Bawaleshie, injuring about six persons believed to be NDC supporters.

The leadership of the party subsequently ordered its polling agents and observers to leave the polling centres.

The police are currently investigating the matter but no arrest has been made yet.

Below is the full statement from the party:

NPP STATEMENT ON THE AYAWASO WEST WUOGON CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION AND MATTERS ARISING

The NPP, first of all, wishes to congratulate Madam Lydia Seyram Alhassan, the party’s parliamentary candidate in the just ended by-election in Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, on her emphatic victory at the polls where she secured over 68% of total vote cast. The NPP also won in 131 polling stations out of the 137 polling stations in the constituency as against the 106 polling stations the party won in the 2016 elections.

The party thanks the discerning electorates of Ayawaso West Wuogon for reposing an overwhelming confidence in our parliamentary candidate, and for the peaceful conduct of the polls despite the isolated incident of violence which occurred a few meters away from one out of the 137 polling stations in the Constituency.

The party condemns the act of violence in no uncertain terms and calls on the relevant state institutions to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and bring all persons who are found culpable at the end of the process, to justice.

It is important to reiterate the point that the NPP vehemently abhors all forms of violence, and will not shield perpetrators of same. We are a party founded on the principle of rule of law and other democratic tenets, and we remain committed, at all times, to upholding these cherished founding principles.

The NPP, in the light of this, condemns unreservedly, the comments of former President John Dramani Mahama, who is threatening to unleash mayhem in the country in election 2020. The former president clearly admitted the violent nature of his party and emphatically stated that “when it comes to unleashing violence, no one can beat the NDC in unleashing violence”.

We wish to tell the former president that the NPP is not, will not, and cannot compete with his NDC in unleashing violence on the Ghanaian people. Of course, unlike them, we, in the NPP, do not have a revolutionary root, as he stated. We however wish to remind the former president and his NDC that citizens reserve the right to defend themselves even as the security agencies are always poised to deal with trouble causers in accordance with law.

Finally, we commend the electoral commission of Ghana for superintending over a largely peaceful exercise. Equally, the security agencies are commended for rising to the occasion when it mattered most and restoring normalcy. As stated by His Excellency President Akufo-Addo, Ghana’s democracy remains robust, and will only grow from strength to strength to the glory of God and country.

…Signed…

John Boadu

General Secretary, NPP