{"id":596312,"date":"2019-03-05T14:35:57","date_gmt":"2019-03-05T14:35:57","guid":{"rendered":"
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NPP General Secretary has traced the motivation for the formation of party militias putting it down to attacks from supporters of their arch political rival, the National Democratic Congress.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

John Boadu told the Short Commission, a team of investigators who are probing into the\u00a0violence that marred the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, that he recalled two such attacks on NPP supporters while in opposition.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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He referred to violence in a presidential run-off in six polling stations in Akwatia in the Eastern region in December 2008\u00a0and another incident in Asutifi Asunafo area in the Bono Ahafo region during a re-registration exercise by the Electoral Commission.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There was also another incident in Chereponi in the Northern region in September 2009.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The NPP General Secretary said in the Akwatia incident, there was \u201ca total breakdown of security\u201d as supporters of the NDC refused to allow NPP figure Dan Botwe to work as a polling agent.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He said the police obliged to the demands of the armed and angry NDC supporters and moved Dan Botwe from the tense scene. Violence would later break out as party supporters were assaulted, some suffering injuries.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

John Boadu blamed the violence meted out on the lack of fortitude on the part of police officers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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In another incident in Chereponi during a by-election, John Boadu recounted how police officers backed the NDC\u2019s agreement it had made with the NPP. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

According to him, there was an agreement to have the NDC hold its final rally on Saturday while the NPP held their on Sunday, the eve of the by-election.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

John Boadu said at the rally which was also addressed by then Vice-President John Mahama, the party went ahead to announce it will hold another rally on Sunday.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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The rally, it was announced, was going to be held in front of the residence of the NPP candidate for the by-election.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

According to him, the NPP reported the breach of the agreement to the Yendi Divisional police commander. They were ignored he said with the explanation the police has been instructed to provide security for both rallies on Sunday.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

More provocations was to follow after NDC supporters organised a route march on Sunday and marched through the same venue where the NPP was arranging their logistics for the rally.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Commotion ensued and violence followed, he said.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n