The Council of Elders of the biggest opposition party has been condemned for an action that “could incite supporters.”

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) at a press conference Wednesday, asked its members not to honour any invitation by the Police Criminal Investigations Department.

The Council of Elders of the party -- who addressed the presser -- cited intimidation from the government.

This comes after an invitation from the CID to the NDC’s National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo.

CID fingers Ofosu Ampofo in recent kidnappings, fire outbreaks

The CID in its invitation suggested that Ofosu Ampofo has been linked to the recent kidnappings and fire outbreaks in the country.

He is already on trial for comments he is alleged to have made on a leaked tape. He has, however, denied any wrongdoing.

But commenting on the NDC’s response to the police, Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Ransford Gyampo said the elders did not act in an elderly manner.

“It is quite strange,” Prof. Gyampo said, adding that “they may legitimately disagree with the reasons for the invitation of their National Chairman but they are not the ones to publicly suggest to the chairman not to honour the CID invitation.”

According to the lecturer, such a call should be left to the lawyers and youth in the party.

“The elders should be seen to be calling for calm, as their action today, could rather incite supporters,” Prof wrote.

He said the elders are well placed, enough to engage the powers that be, to resolve the impasse.

What could the CID do?

The police now have the option to arrest the embattled Chairman.

Prosecutors would, however, have to arraign him in 48 hours otherwise release him.

If history is anything to go by, supporters of the NDC would besiege the CID headquarters if the police arrest their leading member.

Scores of NDC loyalists thronged the CID HQ when Koku Anyidoho was arrested in 2018

Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay also declined a CID invitation when he was deputy Chairman in 2015.