We’ll Revenge In Equal Measure – Ahwoi Tells NPP

In what appears to be a looming tit-for-tat agenda, a National Democratic Congress (NDC) kingpin, Ato Ahwoi, has cautioned the leaders of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to play it fair or risk prosecutions and possible jail terms if the main opposition party wins the 2020 polls.

According to the septuagenarian politician, appointees of the current administration will be haunted in equal measure in response to what he said was ill-treatment and persecution of some NDC linchpins.

“Nana Akufo-Addo and his men should be prepared to be paid back in their own coin when the NDC wins power in the 2020 general elections.

“Whatever the NPP does, we will win the elections in 2020, but when we win, we will do more than what they are doing to us,” Mr. Ahwoi fumed in an interview with Salifu Maase alias Mugabe on “Inside Politics”, a current affairs political programme aired on Power FM, and Accra-based FM station.

Mr. Ahwoi said the party had observed how the Akufo-Addo-led government is using state security agencies to persecute some key members of the main opposition party in the country.

Reacting to the arrest of NDC National Chairman Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Mr. Ahwoi said the party was not afraid of the “tactics of the police to divert attention from the hardships and the lies of the government”.

He added that the NDC could do same to key members of the NPP when the party wins power at the next elections.

Mr. Ahwoi gave the assurance to NDC members, saying the party will make sure that acts of reprisal are played back to the NPP “when the NDC takes over power” in 2021.

His assertions came a day after the NDC National Chairman was picked up last Tuesday by the police for interrogation.

Hundreds of NDC supporters clad in red gathered at the Police Headquarters to support their Chairman, following his detention, which the party said was fuelled by some political elements in power.

When asked if he was serious about what he had said, Mr. Ahwoi retorted in Akan,” we can do even worse than what they are doing.”

Still fuming, he added that certain dangerous statements made by some NPP members made can be used against them tomorrow when they are not in power.

“Crime has no expiry date,” he reiterated, vowing that the NPP will be pursued in the same manner they are disgracing the NDC national chairman.

He also urged members of the NDC to be strong and firm, assuring them that the “political persecution” of Mr. Ampofo cannot intimidate the leadership of the party.

Mr. Ahwoi stressed that party supporters should not worry but go about their normal businesses and support the party at all times.

Ampofo’s Arrest

Mr. Ampofo was picked up at Labone, a suburb of Accra last week Tuesday afternoon.

The police had obtained a warrant from a High Court in Accra to arrest Mr. Ampofo to answer for various acts of kidnappings in the country.

He was released from police custody after being detained for about an hour.

All electronic gadgets belonging to Mr. Ampofo were seized for forensic investigations before he was released.

The seized gadgets were expected to help the police to determine whether the NDC chairman had any relationship with some suspects detained over kidnapping cases and market fires in the country recently.

Mr. Ampofo’s arrest was anticipated because he had earlier declined a May 7 invitation to assist investigations into the allegations of arson and kidnapping when the CID said some suspects had mentioned his name as an accomplice.

Court Case

Already, Mr. Ampofo is standing trial for allegedly setting out a road map of criminal activities, including violence against the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa and the Chairman of the National Peace Council, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante.

In a leaked audio, which he described as “doctored” to tarnish his image, a voice that sounds like him is heard allegedly talking about plans to kidnap people and set places on fire.

Last week, an Accra High Court ruled that the charge of assault on a public officer filed against Mr. Ampofo was right in law.

This was after his lawyers had filed an application with a case that the charges were defective because the prosecution failed to provide any particulars on them, and prayed the court to dismiss those counts.

However, the June 7 ruling by Justice Samuel Asiedu held that the said defects argued by the defense were not fatal and that the charges were recognizable under the law.