The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama has condemned the detention of the NDC Parliamentary Candidate for the Awutu Senya East Constituency, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor and called for her immediate release.
Okunor was detained on Friday at the Cantonments Police Station following the clash between the NDC and the NPP in the constituency resulting in injuries.
Reacting to this, the former president stated that detention of Okunor will needlessly raise the political temperature in the country and spark avoidable tension ahead of the general elections.
He said there is no justification for the decision by the Inspector General of Police George Dampare, on the orders of the National Security Advisor, Albert Kan Dapaah.
“There is no justification for the decision by the Inspector General of Police George Dampare, on the orders of the National Security Advisor, Albert Kan Dapaah, to detain a Parliamentary Candidate for the Awutu Senya East Constituency in Police custody. This action, taken on the instructions of the National Security Secretariat, will needlessly raise the political temperature in the country and spark avoidable tension.” Mahama said.
Mr. Mahama urged the Ghana Police Service to be independent in discharging their duties to maintain peace and stability in the nation months before the crucial national elections.
“The Police Service and the IGP must not allow themselves to be used to hang the peace and stability of our nation months before crucial national elections. I call on the IGP, the Peace Council, the government, and the people of Ghana to recognise that justice is not just a moral imperative but a crucial prerequisite for maintaining peace and stability in a nation.” He charged.
According to him, the NDC can not accept any form of intimidation against the innocent Ghanaians and political opponents in the run-up to the 2024 elections.
“We cannot allow the police service to be used to stifle opposition and intimidate innocent Ghanaians and political opponents in the run-up to the 2024 elections. Clearly, the intention to detain her after she had already been granted bail is an attempt to intimidate the NDC Parliamentary candidate in her quest to unseat the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hawa Koomson, in the Awutu Senya East Constituency.” He fumed.
“I urge the IGP to urgently reconsider his actions and release Naa Koryoo immediately for the sake of justice and the stability of our nation. It is high time the police fulfilled their duty to serve and protect all citizens, irrespective of their political affiliations.”
Meanwhile, members of National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters besieged the Cantonments Police Station to demand the immediate release of Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
