Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, the Eastern Regional Minister, Eric Kwakye Darfour, said information available to him pointed to the fact that, the angry youth lay in wait to wreak havoc.

[contextly_sidebar id=”jJgE0ZF8xhL3XrJvpPeI3xz3F7XUPe6B”]“It appears the youth in the town, or some people had been mobilized to surround the vicinity of the area, the premises where they were voting, to the extent that if the NPP candidate did not sail through, then hell should break loose. So that is what happened, and there was commotion and all kinds of violent disturbances.”

The angry youth, known as the Party Royals, besieged the Pentecost Church where the election was taking place, and assaulted some Assembly Members after their preferred candidate did not get the required two-thirds of votes for the position of Presiding Member.

The two contestants were tied at 19 votes apiece, and the Electoral Commission announced a break ahead of an expected second round of voting when the youth stormed the venue and seized ballot boxes.

The fact that the youth were fueled by some partisan leanings came as no surprise to the Minister.

“It is no secret that when it comes to such matters, people would want to rally behind their parties and take a decision, and therefore, the decision was between the District Chief Executive’s favourite and the constituency chairman’s favourite,” Mr. Kwakye Darfour stated.

Lack of arrests

There  has not been any arrest yet. following the incident, despite police being at the scene when the disturbances started.

Mr. Kwakye Darfour, however said he did not think there were any security failings from the police.

“In fact, had it not been for the intervention of the police, I think we would have recorded some casualties,” he asserted.

He said the police are investigating the incident, adding that, “maybe, they might come out with some arrests.”

“If there must be some arrests, they need to arrest some people. The President has reiterated it on several occasions. I cannot understand any police command is saying that this is a party affair,” he stated.

NPP youth beat me as police watched – Oman FM Journalist

Police in the Adeiso District of the Eastern Region, stood by and watched as a journalist, together with some Assembly members, were assaulted by irate youth believed to be New Patriotic Party supporters during an election to choose a Presiding Member for the Adeiso District Assembly.

The Oman FM journalist covering the election, Isaac Ofori, narrated to Citi News that he in particular, was slapped in the full glare of the District Commander, ASP Abrefi Yeboah, and other police officers in uniform.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Oman FM journalist covering the election, Isaac Ofori, narrated to Citi News that he in particular, was slapped in the full glare of the District Commander, ASP Abrefi Yeboah, and other police officers in uniform.

[contextly_sidebar id=”xQSrJsrVZ9cXQJNk1ydiEmOwuwgLTIHC”]The Adeiso District Police have since said it has begun investigations into the circumstances that led to the incident, but no arrests have been made despite the seeming abundance of evidence.

NPP youth group beats Assembly Members at Adeiso

The Adeiso Police are situated just about 10 meters from the election venue that saw chaos erupt.

The angry youth, known as the Party Royals, besieged the Pentecost Church where the election was taking place, and sparked the chaos, after their preferred candidate, Eric Kwesi Mensah, did not get the required two-thirds of votes for the position of Presiding Member.

After the vote, which was tied at 19 apiece, the Electoral Commission announced a break ahead of an expected second round of voting.

“All of a sudden, some guys came to the room and took the ballot box away. It was a misunderstanding between the guys and the police,” Isaac Ofori recounted.

“As a journalist, I decided to take some shots, but before I could do that, one of the guys slapped me and I fell on the ground,” he added.

Police ignored judge’s pleas

Isaac Ofori, also noted that, the police even failed to act on the orders of a judge, who was at the scene.

“The police were there, but they couldn’t make any arrests. Even the judge who is supposed to come and do the confirmation of the Presiding member was calling for their arrest but nothing happened.

The Police Commander was around at the time, along with his men, so Isaac Ofori said, he “didn’t see the reason why they did not arrest anybody.”

The incident has been juxtaposed with the attempt by some Togolese to stage an unlawful protest in Accra, but were swiftly clamped down by the police at Nima over the weekend, and they are getting ready to put them before court today [Monday].

This has again fueled concerns that such NPP youth are being protected because their government is in power.

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By: Neil Amartey Kanarku & Delali Adogla-Bessa /citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NPP youth beat me as police watched – Oman FM Journalist appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The 22-year-old, who only joined the Bluebirds from Tottenham last summer, has signed a four-year deal.

Caulker used to play under Harry Redknapp at Tottenham and is a long-term admirer of new team-mate Rio Ferdinand.

“Harry was a big factor and Rio was also a big draw,” he said. “It was important for me to be back playing in the Premier League.”

Caulker played all 38 Premier League games for Cardiff last season, scoring five goals as the Bluebirds were relegated to the Championship.

The centre-back was part of Redknapp’s squad at Tottenham, but did not make a Premier League appearance during the manager’s tenure.

“Harry was very keen for me to join and that was a big plus, knowing the manager wants you,” he added.

“As for Rio, he has been a role model of mine for many years and to have the opportunity to play alongside him was something I felt I couldn’t miss out on.”

Caulker has made one England appearance, in November 2012, scoring in a 4-2 friendly defeat by Sweden.

QPR boss Redknapp believes he has got a player who will only improve.

“Steven is young, he’s a good age and he’s already a fine player – but he has so much more potential and it’s a really excellent signing for the club,” he said.

“He’s got everything to be a top, top centre-half, so I couldn’t be more pleased to have him.”

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Source: BBC

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