The Headquarters of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has again become a scene of violence over disagreements among the rank and file of the party.
Citi News’ Franklin Badu Junior reported Friday morning, that about 20 heavily-built men stormed the office and burnt down a motorbike and also demolished the windscreen of a new-looking taxicab.
According to him, pedestrians and motorists are unable to use the road. He says police men have arrived at the scene to maintain law and order.
“There is total violence and chaos. Currently, one side of the road leading to the main entrance of the office has been blocked with a motorbike that has been set on fire. There is also a taxi that looks new and the front and rear mirror have been destroyed. I saw about seven heavily built men destroying the taxi. There about twenty of such macho men in front of the head office warning everybody not to pass there. The police just arrived with two cars to calm the situation because nobody uses the road in front of the office at the moment” Franklin reported.
Franklin added “It is still unclear if the NEC meeting expected to be held today will take place. The information I have is that those attending the meeting are yet to arrive but there are about two administrators already in there.”
According to Franklin Badu, it appears the macho men are not exactly there to prevent the meeting but to protect the area from being invaded by persons claiming to be loyalists of the party’s Chairman, Paul Afoko or any other party leader.
The chaos comes ahead of a National Executive Committee Meeting (NEC) expected to take place today.
Ahead of the meeting however, the disgruntled Chairman of the party, Paul Afoko, had issued a statement to all media houses asking the public to ignore it, saying the party’s First National Vice Chairman, Freddie Blay, is not constitutionally mandated to call a NEC meeting when he is available.
Mr. Afoko has in recent times criticized Mr. Freddie Blay for using his newspaper, the Daily Guide to publish articles meant to run him down and tarnish his image.
It is unclear what is fuelling the tension between the two leaders of the party but suggestions are that it is only a manifestation of the deep cracks and perceived factionalism in the party.
The NPP is yet to fully recover from internal strife that has rocked the party in recent months.
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