He Misspoke; NDC Defends Violence-Inciting Constituency Leader
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has defended and asked for pardon for the Suame Constituency Youth Organiser, Koampa Razak Avoliya who is being sought for arrest.
The Party said he failed to get his communication right when he advocated for violence against members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Viral Video
Avoliya was captured in a viral video inciting NDC youth at Suame to use violence to secure power in the upcoming general elections.
He said, “according to my experience in politics, we can’t defeat the Akufo-Addo administration on paper but violence and you can’t use violence without casualties.”
“Based on violence we have been subjected to, I have advised the youth to beat up any NPP member because that is the only way we (NDC youth) can survive in this constituency”, he went on.
He added, “If Akufo-Addo killed eight people to win the election, why would it be wrong to kill two to get power…I have advised the NDC grassroots to prepare themselves for that and use sticks or guns if they have to so we win power.”
He also said the national executives of the party endorsed his decision.
Following the circulation of the video, the Ghana Police Service said the Ashanti Regional Police Command had initiated steps to arrest him.
Honestly, as a Christian, I find it extremely repugnant and abhorrent that an official of my NDC can say openly that the National Executives asked him to speak abusively about the peace-loving message of the Holy Bible. Asiedu-Nketiah must come out & condemn this or else … pic.twitter.com/CyrizC6RzQ
— Samuel Koku Anyidoho🇬🇭 (@KokuAnyidoho) February 7, 2023
NDC Defence
But the National Communication officer of the Party, Sammy Gyamfi in a statement said Avoliya failed to get his communication right.
“We note that the young man misspoke, as the message he sought to convey did not come out as intended…While we do not subscribe to violence as a party, except in cases of self-defence, we cannot overlook the genuine sentiment and frustration of people who feel helpless in the face of incessant and unprovoked attacks and killings under Akufo-Addo /Bawumia government.”
According to the NDC, he spoke out of “pain” and must therefore be pardoned.
Sammy said, “it is an indisputable fact that state-sponsored violence and thuggery has been the modus operandi of the Akufo Addo/Bawumia/NPP government. The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government has benefitted and continues to profit from violence as witnessed in the Ayawaso West Wuogon bi-election, the 2020 Voter Registration Exercise and the 2020 General elections during which eight (8) were murdered by state-sponsored bandits belonging to the ruling NPP. ”
He further called out the NPP over their condemnation of Avoliya after President Akufo-Addo’s infamous “All die be die” utterance and other similar utterances by some NPP figures who have gone unpunished.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
