Chilling reports gathered by this paper indicate that the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) plans to incite violence at the impending Assin North by-election to ensure that their embattled candidate, James Gyakye Quayson, recaptures the Parliamentary seat at all cost.
In pursuit of their ambitions, NDC National Organiser, Joseph YAMIN, together with Captain John Kwame JABARI (RTD), Ashanti Regional Vice Chairman of the opposition party, have allegedly held a series of meetings with key members of the Eagle Forces, an Obuasi-based NDC vigilante group, at the group’s office in Tutuka.
The meeting, the intelligence reports indicate, was to devise approaches to effectively deploy armed members of the group to key polling stations and electoral areas within the Assin North constituency ahead of, and on, 27th June 2023.
In an intercepted WhatsApp audio recording, Yahuza FUSSEINI, Commander of the vigilante group, is heard rallying the support of the group to respond to demands of the party national leadership for active participation of members of the Eagle Forces in ongoing plans to secure a win for the party.
He is also heard promising that all who heed the call would be generously rewarded should the NDC win the 2024 general elections.
In what is expected to be a fierce battle between the two opposing political parties, concerns have been raised over the likelihood of a replication of the events that characterised the January 31, 2019, Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, which remains a blot on the democratic history of Ghana.
Meanwhile, State Security and law enforcement agencies continue to provide assurances that the impending election would be devoid of violence and casualties.