Mahama Reacts To Akufo-Addo’s Disapproval Of Machete Wielding NDC Youth
Former President John Dramani Mahama has taken a swipe at President Akufo-Addo, over the latter’s disapproval of the move by some members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), to guard the office of the former with machetes and other tools.
According to him, the condemnation coming from the President is ironic as he referenced the Ayawaso West Wuogon disturbances in 2019.
In a post on Twitter, Mr Mahama who is now seeking a comeback accused the President of “superintending” the mayhem at Ayawaso West Wuogon as well as the “state-sponsored” violence in the 2020 elections which claimed eight lives, indicating he was in no position to lecture him about peace and violence.
“This is a bit rich, coming from a President who superintended the mayhem at Ayawaso West Wuogon and has not had a word of sympathy for the families of our 8 compatriots who died from state-sponsored violence in the 2020 elections.”
NDC Parade With Machete
Some youth of the opposition party trooped onto the premises of the office of their flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, wielding machetes, sticks, brooms, and other tools in search of “rodents and reptiles”.
The party faithful on Thursday, November 23 were clad in red, white and green shirts chanting energetically as they waited for any member of the Fixing the Country Movement- a group affiliated with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP)-who may trespass the venue.
The Deputy National Communication Officer of the Party, Malik Basintale, who joined the exercise dubbed “NDC Youth Clean Up” said his weapon was destined for any “rodent or reptile” he spots on the premises.
“I purposely came for rodents and I purposely came for reptiles, and I will not use this until I see rodents around. So far, so good we haven’t seen any around, but we are monitoring and we have eyes all around which will see anyone who is not invited here and we will treat such as rodents.”
On November 24, Mr Mahama commended the youth for the “love, support, and commitment to defending his strong and incorruptible character”.
“Ayekoo to the young people including women who converged at the Cantonments office on Thursday to solidarise with John Mahama in the face of what was a misguided attempt by elements sponsored by the leadership of the NPP to picket around the office,” a statement released by his aide said.
Prez Condemnation
Speaking at the Victory Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Adentan Fafraha, in Accra over the weekend, President Akufo-Addo condemned the action of the youth.
“It is my honest hope that the machetes and weapons brandished last week at the residence of the NDC’s presidential candidate, the former president John Mahama are not signs of things to come in the run-up of the 2024 elections elections.
“If it is, I can assure them that they will find no success with them. I want to state for the record that under my watch, no person or group of persons, no matter their political colouration, will destabilise our country nor destroy the peace that all of us are enjoying. It will not happen.”
