The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority in Parliament has condemned the attack on the residence of the Member of Parliament for the Asunafo South Constituency, Eric Opoku, as the latest act of political vigilantism.
The Minority in a statement said the attack was one of many “designed to intimidate, harass and silence vocal and outspoken members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).”
It also said the attack was “not only criminal but is also an assault on our young and fledgling democracy.”
The residence of Mr.Opoku, a former Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, was attacked on Christmas morning by unknown assailants when the MP was holding series of engagements and meetings with his constituents.
The assailants, numbering about six are said to have stormed Mr. Opoku’s residence at about 11:30 am.
The Minority is critical of the fact that no arrests have been made and said this was again festering the lawlessness in society.
“As of now, no action has been taken to identify, arrest and bring to book the perpetrators of this atrocious appalling and criminal act. It is inactions of this kind that has created a culture of impunity that enhances the growth of these lawless elements parading as political vigilantes.”
“The minority calls on the law enforcement agencies to act with despatch by fishing out and bringing these faceless hoodlums to book. Such action is crucial to halting and ending these unfettered acts of lawlessness unleashed on Ghanaians across the length and breadth of this country since the NPP came to power,” the statement added.
Find below the full Minority statement
MINORITY STATEMENT ON ATTACK BY NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY (NPP) VIGILANTE MOB ON HON. ERIC OPOKU, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR ASUNAFO SOUTH.
The minority has learnt with shock and dismay the brutal and unprovoked attack on the member of parliament for the Asunafo South Constituency, Hon. Eric Opoku who is also the former Regional Minister of the Brong Ahafo region under the John Mahama led NDC administration in the early hours of the 25th day of December, 2017.
We are reliably informed that the Hon. Eric Opoku had travelled to his constituency to celebrate the Christmas festivities with his constituents and was actually locked up in a meeting at his residence when a mob of NPP supporters numbering about a hundred and armed with machetes and guns carried out the attack without provocation.
In the cause of the unprovoked attack, stones were pelted by the assailants at the residence of the Hon. Eric Opoku and in the process, massive damage was caused to a number of vehicles including a Toyota Land Cruiser belonging to the Hon. Member and the residence itself.
The minority in parliament condemns the attack in no uncertain terms as it is yet another manifestation of political vigilantism designed to intimidate, harass and silence vocal and outspoken members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). Infact, what happened to the Hon. Eric Opoku on the 25th day of December, 2017 is not only criminal but is also an assault on our young and fledgling democracy.
As of now, no action has been taken to identify, arrest and bring to book the perpetrators of this atrocious appalling and criminal act. It is inactions of this kind that has created a culture of impunity that enhances the growth of these lawless elements parading as political vigilantes.
The minority calls on the law enforcement agencies to act with despatch by fishing out and bringing these faceless hoodlums to book. Such action is crucial to halting and ending these unfettered acts of lawlessness unleashed on Ghanaians across the length and breadth of this country since the NPP came to power.
We will also seize this opportunity to call upon the President, His Excellency Nana Akufo Addo not only to concentrate on alleged crimes committed in the past but also crimes committed under his watch by members of his government and party.
Signed:………………………………..
Hon. James Agalga
Ranking Member,
Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament.