Any appointee who served in the Akufo-Addo administration and is currently under investigation would be picked up the Police Service if they step foot in Akwatia to campaign for the by-election, Deputy General Secretary and Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, Mustapha Gbande has served notice.
Gbande explains the former appointees are on record to have engaged in several unlawful practices and transactions including money laundering, visa racketeering, among others, reason they would be arrested as soon as they arrive in the Akwatia constituency.
“We will go to Akwatia; however, all previous appointees who were involved in any crime will be reported to the police and will be arrested if they enter Akwatia. They are on record to have been involved in money laundering, visa racketeering, among others, and they will be arrested in Akwatia. Every Member of Parliament who is wanted for any crime will be arrested in Akwatia because they will not be going to Parliament” he said in an interview on Asempa FM’s current affairs program, “Ekosiisen”, hosted by Philip Osei Bonsu.
He continued, “We will do everything to prevent violence from occurring and preserve the image of the government and our party. We will not set the same record NPP has set for itself. But if you’re wanted by the state, we will encourage the police to lock you up in Akwatia. Let the NPP know that this afternoon. Anyone involved in a crime will be arrested.”
The Akwatia by-election has become necessary due to the unfortunate demise of Ernest Yaw Kumi.
Although the Electoral Commission is yet to announce a date and outline modalities for the by-election, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has endorsed Solomon Asumadu, a constituency treasurer as its parliamentary candidate.
Announcing the decision at a press conference yesterday at the party’s headquarters, the General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, revealed that after several consultations and meetings by the party’s elders, the National Council unanimously approved Mr. Asumadu’s candidature.
Three individuals are reported to have picked forms to contest on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
They are Bernard Bediako Baidoo, businessman Erasmus Korney Ali, and former MP Henry Boakye Yiadom (a.k.a. Okoyo).
The party is expected to vet all three aspirants on Thursday, 31st July, ahead of the primaries scheduled for Monday, 4th August.
