The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised serious allegations against the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing them of secretly recruiting members of their affiliated small-scale mining group to disrupt the upcoming general elections.
According to the NPP, the NDC is planning to deploy a vigilante group called the “Eagle Force” to NPP polling stations to create chaos during the polls.
Addressing the press at the party’s headquarters at Asylum Down on Wednesday, 20th November, 2024, the NPP National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, claimed that recently as November 11, 2024, the NDC’s Committee on Mining, led by Tony Aubynn, a former Chief Executive of the Minerals Commission, held a covert meeting with pro-NDC small-scale miners at the conference hall of Mawuli Hotel in Bidiem, located in the Obuasi West Municipality.
He emphasized that on election day, the NDC plans to deploy thugs on motorbikes to shoot indiscriminately in NPP strongholds, aiming to create fear and panic, suppress voter turnout, and disrupt the counting process.
He explained that this plan includes engaging armed robbers and other criminal elements to increase cases of robbery and kidnapping in the days leading up to the elections.
Nana Boakye also noted that despite the enactment of the Anti-Vigilantism Act, the NDC, on November 4, 2024, launched their vigilante group, the “Azoka Boys,” in the Asawase Constituency in the Ashanti Region.
He claimed that these individuals, known for their violent activities in previous elections, have been tasked with intimidating voters in the region to undermine voter confidence and disrupt the electoral process.
The NPP National Organizer assured Ghanaians that the party is aware of the NDC’s plans and will use all lawful means to safeguard the sanctity of the December 7 electoral processes and defend Ghana’s democracy.
He urged the Inspector General of Police to arrest all individuals involved in the launch of the Azoka Boys in Asawase and investigate the NDC’s planned acts of vigilantism.
He also called on all state security and intelligence agencies to be vigilant and proactive in thwarting the NDC’s dangerous machinations.
However, he cautioned that the party would not countenance any attempts to subvert the will of the people through intimidation or violence.
He called on all well-meaning Ghanaians to reject the NDC’s tactics and stand firm in defending democracy. “Let us show the world once again that Ghana is a shining example of peaceful and credible elections,” he added.
