Adansi Asokwa Kobina Tahir (K.T.) Hammond, a member of parliament, has threatened to challenge Sammy Binfoh Darkwah, the front-runner in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) primary.
The Ghana Library Authority’s deputy CEO is facing severe beatings from the Trade and Industry Minister, who has threatened to use macho men to attack his supporters.
He claimed that the attack happened on Friday night and that some of the suspects visited his home to offer their condolences.
“We have had elections in this constituency for 24 years and there has not been any act of violence or chaos but Sammy Binfoh comes in anytime to cause trouble. I am very disappointed one of my people had an AK47 but decided to use a pistol to defend himself,” he stated.
Mr. Binfoh was given the dire warning to leave the constituency right away for his safety by a visibly irate KT Hammond.
“I will give him two showdowns. I will humiliate him at the polls and get him beaten physically. This is not violence but a notice so wherever he is, he should leave town quickly.
How can he attack my people and think he will get away with it? I will organise for him to be beaten physically,” while several police officers were trying to calm him down, he threatened.
Mr. Hammond filed a petition with the National Executive Committee (NEC) in advance of the primaries, requesting that Mr. Binfoh and two other candidates be disqualified.
He claimed that in order to be permitted to represent the people, his opponents, Mr. Binfoh, Dr. Enoch Acheampong, and Kwabena Nkansah Asamoah, are not card-bearing party members and have not performed any work in the constituency. However, his petition was unsuccessful.
NPP Primaries: KT Hammond threatens to have contender beaten mercilessly#UTVNews pic.twitter.com/5lq6iX9efr
— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) January 27, 2024
Relatedly, incumbent Member of Parliament for Bantama constituency in the Ashanti Region, Francis Asenso Boakye has refuted claims of camping some NPP delegates.
Debunking the allegations, Asenso Boakye stated emphatically that he cannot camp delegates who are old enough to be his grandfather.