The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a stern warning ahead of the upcoming Akwatia by-election, vowing to treat any military interference in the electoral process as thuggery.
Addressing journalists in Accra on Wednesday, August 27, the party’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of plotting to use national security operatives to intimidate voters and disrupt the election.
According to Ahiagbah, the NPP has received credible intelligence indicating that the NDC plans to “hide behind the guise of national security to terrorise some residents and voters in Akwatia.”
He noted that the Ghana Police Service has already committed to deploying 5,000 officers for the by-election and that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has made it clear that the police do not require military support to maintain law and order.
Despite this, Ahiagbah alleged that Richard Jakpa, recently appointed Director of Operations at the National Security Secretariat, has been seen moving through the Akwatia constituency with soldiers, allegedly issuing threats to residents.
“Richard Jakpa has reportedly been perambulating Akwatia with soldiers, threatening some indigenes and residents to leave the town before the by-election in their own interest,” he claimed.
Ahiagbah warned that any soldier who involves themselves in the election process will not be spared criticism or consequence.
“We want to make it abundantly clear that any soldier involved in the Akwatia by-election will be considered and dealt with as a thug,” he declared.
The NPP called on President John Dramani Mahama, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, to immediately rein in Mr. Jakpa and ensure the military stays out of the by-election.
“We urge the President, under whose watch national security falls, to call Richard Jakpa to order and ensure that no soldier meddles in the Akwatia by-election,” Ahiagbah said.
The Akwatia by-election, scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, has become a national focal point, with tensions rising between the two major parties. Both the NPP and NDC have accused each other of intimidation tactics as the contest draws near in the historically competitive constituency.
Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has cautioned that any acts of violence during the upcoming Akwatia by-election will be met with equal resistance, stressing that the party will not allow intimidation to undermine the democratic process.
NPP to Deal with soldiers who meddle in Akwatia by-election as thugs – NPP
