The Northern Regional Police Command has cautioned New Patriotic Party (NPP) youth in the Savelugu-Naton Municipality of the region demonstrating against the appointment of Hajia Ayishetu Seidu as the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) to desist from doing so violently.
Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yussif Tanko speaking on Adom FM’s Midday News Thursday said the police is prepared to crash any members of the group who would attempt to distract work at the Assembly.
“The President has named her as the MCE and as far as we are concerned, she has also been legally been confirmed as the MCE for the district, the law mandates us to protect her and that is what we will do…,” he said.
A joint force of NPP executives from Savelugu and Nanton – who are against the appointment of ajia Ayishetu Seidu stormed the Assembly’s office complex on Thursday morning to prevent her from reporting to work.
While police fired warning shots, the angry protestors responded by pelting stones at them.
Hajia Seidu was nominated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the position of MCE for Savelugu-Nanton and endorsed by members of the assembly.
Although she polled 50 votes out of the 64 ballots cast representing 78.13 percent at the special meeting held at Savelugu, the municipal capital on May 13, 2017 to become the MCE for the area, some executives of the NPP are against the president’s choice.
Threats by the executives to prevent Hajia Seidu from assuming office created panic among the staff of the Assembly, who locked up the offices over fears of being attacked.
After a month-long wait, the MCE was inducted into office on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 to the displeasure of the executive.
A joint task-force from the Regional Security Council and the Municipal Security Committee escorted Hajia Ayishetu to her office.
However, the executives returned to the Assembly’s office complex Thursday morning to prevent the MCE from carrying out her duties.
They resisted all attempts by the police to allow the MCE enter her office and asked that the appointment is revoked “in the spirit of party interest”.
The leader of the youth complained that the police destroyed some of their motorbikes and used violent means to drive them away from the Assembly.
But the Police PRO said they will be willing to go an extra mile to crush all persons who would seek to distract the legally appointed and confirmed MCE.
“They (demonstrators) should go to the streets, demonstrate peacefully and write petitions to the President to withdraw her, until that she is still the MCE and we would offer her the protection to work in accordance with law…,” he advised.
ASP Yussif Tanko further urged indigenes of Savelugu and Nanton living outside the Municipality to advise their relatives to desist from violent demonstrations.
“I urge Savelugu indigenes living outside the area to advise the demonstrators to allow peace to prevail or we will also enforce the laws…,” he said.