The IGP and the Ghana Police Service who are supposed to be the final line of defence for the citizenry were visibly helpless and hapless in the face of government-sponsored vigilante attacks on unprepared and defenceless NDC members in the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election yesterday - January 31, 2019. 

Even though we had a by-election in just one, out of 275 constituencies in the country, the police could not assemble their men to enforce law and order, security and safety. This is extremely shocking, disconcerting and unacceptable!!

Is it the case that the IGP and the Ghana Police Service have been cowed into submission by NPP/Government’s vigilante forces? Is it the case that both the Police and the NPP vigilantes were working together and moving in the same police vehicles? 

The vigilantes were armed with lethal weapons in the full glare of the law enforcement officers. If as it appears, the Police were working in tandem with the armed vigilantes, then they could be accused of complicity in the criminal conduct of the vigilantes.

Many more questions remain to be answered in this shameful, backward, lawless and very dangerous event that just unfolded.

It is said that coming events cast their shadows. But for the timely intervention of the leadership of the NDC party, lots of lives could have been lost.

As part of the 50-member NDC delegation that met with the IGP and the Electoral Commissioner respectively, in the heat of the incidents, I dare say the institutions were momentarily helpless. It was obvious that the vigilantes were in control, a perception that remains to be disproved.

The EC made no public statement to the police contingent under their “command” and who were at the polling stations at their invitation. On the part of the police, they have since not arrested a single person despite the pictures and videos at their disposal.

I call for a thorough independent investigation to bring all the culprits involved in this despicable incident to justice. 

The Electoral Commission could have postponed the elections in the areas affected by the violence to allow residents to vote later without the threat of violence but their tacit endorsement of the messy developments which were premeditated and orchestrated to the advantage of the NPP undermines public confidence. Election security was a total failure 

We call on the international community to condemn this senseless, cowardly and barbaric government-sponsored violence.

As we sympathize with the families of all the injured, I can assure that the NDC shall seek justice, whether early or late!

We call for calm within the ranks of the NDC and plead that our supporters do not resort to violence in self-defence. We can win subsequent elections through non-violent means. We call for free and fair elections without intimidation

This country deserves the peace, unity, stability and harmony that its people are praying for.