Yesterday’s by-election in the Akwatia Constituency, Eastern Region, was marred by drama and tensions, largely linked to political vigilantism. Not even the deployment of 5,000 police officers and the Black Maria to maintain law and order could deter party factions from confrontations and inflammatory rhetoric.
Despite the disbandment of vigilante groups, following the enactment of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), which bans such groups, yesterday’s events showed that Ghana’s democracy is still haunted by hooliganism and political thuggery.
The polls were marked by violent scuffles. Reports indicate that the alleged bodyguard of the Minority Leadertore down an NDC poster near a polling station, provoking anger among NDC supporters.
A separate clash also broke out between the NPP’s Third National Vice Chairman, Osman Masawudu and the security detail of NDC’s National Vice Chairman, Chief Sofo Azorka.
In a video sighted by The Chronicle, Sofo Azorka is heard threatening the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin:
“They said Afenyo-Markin has been here. I swear to God! Had we met him here, there would have been by-election at his constituency.
“He is lucky we did not meet him. They came to our party office to deface our posters. He has no right to be there. We rushed here because of what happened.”
Reacting to the threats, Afenyo-Markin told the media he would not be intimidated:
“I have heard that the NDC’s Vice Chairman, Chief Sofo Azorka said that he wants to ‘kill’ me. We know them, the infamous Azorka Boys, all they know is beating people. So, this is not his first time threatening people. But I am not a coward.”
He further urged NPP supporters to remain calm and resolute: “There are foot soldiers on the ground. Nobody should let the words of Azorka put fear into anybody. We do not do politics with fear; it’s about courage. Our forebearers spent time in jail for the sake of politics, so don’t let anybody put fear into you.”
Some residents also admitted to the media that they expected monetary inducements before casting their votes, arguing that they gained little benefit even when their preferred candidates won.
