National Security meets NDC, NPP chairmen
National Security on Thursday met the chairmen of the two main political parties as incidents of indiscipline and violence continues to threaten the peace of the country after the declaration of the results of the 2012 general election.
The National Security Coordinator, Lt. Col. Larry Gbevlo-Lartey (Rtd), chaired the meeting with the Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Dr Kwabena Adjei and the Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, in efforts to rein in their supporters as reports of fears of reprisal attacks were reported in Accra on Thursday.
Supporters of the NPP have been protesting since Sunday afternoon when they attempted to march on the Electoral Commission (EC), just before its Chairman, Dr Kwadwo Afari- Gyan, declared the results of the presidential election that saw President John Dramani Mahama winning a first round victory with 50.70 per cent of the votes.
The NPP has disputed the results and its supporters pitched camp at the Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle from Tuesday saying they would remain there until their candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, was declared winner.
The NPP has said it would challenge the results on court and asked its supporters on Tuesday to go home, but they returned on Wednesday and Thursday.
The NPP supporters also attacked several journalists physically, threatened some of them and damaged their vehicles accusing them of biased reportage against the party.
There were also instances when people wearing NDC shirts or driving vehicles with NDC paraphernalia were attacked.
And on Thursday, there were reports of NDC supporters in reprisal attacks at the Rawlings Park in Accra. Although the police and military team brought this situation under control, it was opening a new and dangerous dimension to the situation.
Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey condemned the actions of the party’s supporters and said there should be a clear distinction between party activities and criminal acts and warned that the party would not come to the defence of such people.
He told reporters after the meeting that the police needed to deal firmly with anybody found infringing the law, no matter the party affiliation.
Dr Adjei said he was concerned about the developments adding that he had been speaking with NDC supporters to be calm even in the face of provocation.
Various organisations have condemned the post-election violence, especially in Accra, and asked the leaderships of the NDC and NPP to speak to their supporters to remain calm.
Source: GNA