The deputy Minister of Local Government Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has launched a scathing attack on the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, for what he says are his irresponsible, unprovoked comments on election 2012.
Nana Addo at meeting in the Eastern Region admonished supporters of the NPP to be courageous and resist any attempt by the ruling party to intimidate them during the 2012 General elections.
He charged party faithfuls to meet members of the ruling party who attempt to intimidate them boot-for-boot even to the point of death, saying, “all-die-be-die.”
His comments have triggered varied interpretations. Whilst officials of the ruling party have been critical of the comments, those from the NPP have justified it, explaining, it was just an exhortation to party members to be vigilant and resist any form of attack and oppression by elements in the ruling party.
Speaking to Joy News, the Deputy Local Government Minister Elvis Afriyie Ankrah described the comments by the NPP flag-bearer as complete “buffoonery” and ought not to have come from a presidential candidate.
Such comments he said were the ones used to incite suicide bombers into action.
Mr Afriyie Ankrah said the comments had no basis especially when the government was on track in providing the needs of the citizens.
He questioned why civil society groups, the clergy and other well meaning Ghanaians have been silent on the issue and admonished them to condemn the comments made by Nana Addo.
The NDC insists the NPP flagbearer must apologise for the comments.
But the General Secretary of the NPP, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie said the NDC should forget about any apology because the comments were legitimate. He said he was disappointed with the comments by the deputy Minister, who according to him should have learnt some manners having been a minister.
Kwadwo Afriyie also known as Sir John said the NDC must rather get on with the business of governing the country rather than demanding phantom apologies which they will not get.
Justifying the comments from the party’s flagbearer, the NPP scribe said for years the police have remained silent on attacks and acts of intimidation members of the NPP have suffered in the hands of the ruling party.
He cited the Atiwa and Chereponi by-elections where he said members of the NPP were brutalized and till now nothing has been done by the police
Kwadwo Afriyie maintained the “all-die-be-die” comment was not to incite party faithful into war but to admonish them to resist any form of attacks and intimidation.
He also accused the government of plotting to create chaos in the 2012 elections, saying, if the NDC plans to run a clean, peaceful, free and fair elections in 2012, they should not be worried about Nana Addo’s comment.
According to him, Nana Addo’s comments were legitimate since for years NPP supporters had to be admonished not to retaliate given the intimidation and attacks they endured during the Atiwa and other bye elections held.