NPP does not Own Vigilante group – John Boadu

The General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu has said, his party does not own vigilante group adding that, the time has come for political vigilante groups to be disbanded.

Mr Boadu made this known on Monday, 4 March 2019, when he appeared before the Commission of Inquiry, set up by President Nana Akufo-Addo to probe the violence that marred the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election on 31 January 2019.

Some National Security operatives temporarily disrupted the by-election at the La-Bawaleshie basic school polling station when they fired into the crowd that had gathered at the private residence of the NDC’s candidate close to the polling centre.

The masked men also beat up unarmed civilians and assaulted a member of parliament, Sam Nartey George in the melee.

Apart from the Commission of Inquiry, the president has also tasked the leadership of the two major political parties to disband any militias attached to the parties.

Asked by the Commission if the NPP is a beneficiary of the activities of party militias, Mr Boadu stated: “I, in person, am a beneficiary of these groupings, as individual members of the party”.

He explained that in 2016, there were some challenges during a re-registration exercise at the Asutifi and Asunafo areas in the Brong Ahafo Region. Mr Boadu, who said he was the Acting General Secretary of the NPP at that time, decided to visit the areas.

“For whatever reason, I decided, when I got to Kumasi, to ask some of our young men to join me to visit those areas,” he revealed.

Emile Short Commission of Inquiry enters day 9 

Today’s sitting saw Security Analyst Dr. Kwasi Anning, and Detective Inspector Sulemana Abudulai Jallo of the East Legon Police Command make appearances to give their testimony of the commission.

An eye witness, Benjamin Tagoe also made an appearance at the commission.

Mr. John Boadu’s appearance before the commission makes him the first NPP official to testify before the commission.