From Edmond Gyebi, Tamale
A group, calling itself Concerned Citizens of Savelugu-Nanton Municipality in the Northern Region, has called on traditional authorities, religious leaders, party executives and supporters, youth groups, and all well-meaning stakeholders in the area, to take bold steps to restrain the angry supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who are causing tension and retarding the development of the Municipality.
The NPP youth, backed by some constituency executives, have, in the last two months, staged a series of demonstrations against the President’s Municipal Chief Executive (MDC) nominee for Savelugu-Nanton, Hajia Ayishetu Seidu, even though she had already been confirmed by the assembly members, with an overwhelming 78% majority votes.
Since her confirmation, Hajia Ayishetu Seidu, unlike her colleagues in other districts in the region, is yet to peacefully assume office to champion the development of the area.
The Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC), on June 14, this year, braved the storm and deployed heavy security to escort the MCE to commence work for the first time, but the move hit a snag, as it further infuriated the irate youth.
The NPP youth, the next day (Thursday 15th June 2017), went berserk, locking up the offices of the Savelugu-Nanton Municipal Assembly, in a bid to prevent the female MCE from coming to the office again.
Not even the application of maximum force from a combined team of armed military and police deployed to the scene could deter the angry NPP youth, as they pelted the security personnel with stones, and even ended locking up one of the police officers who had tried to restrain them from locking up the offices.
Their behaviour compelled the security personnel to fire rubber bullets and warning shots, and also seized their motorbikes. Even though there is still heavy security presence at the assembly complex, the MCE has still not been able to return to office, as the youth have vowed to resist her through every means possible, until her appointment is revoked by the President.
However, the Concerned Citizens of Savelugu-Nanton are calling for calm in the municipality, and the acceptance of Hajia Ayishetu Seidu as the confirmed MCE, and help her to advance the development agenda of the area.
At a press conference held at Savelugu to make the appeal, the group also suggested the use of dialogue to resolve the differences, to enable Hajia Ayishetu to start work as the MCE for the area, for the smooth implementation of the policies and programmes of the ruling NPP government.
The spokesperson for the group, who doubles as the Nanton Constituency NPP Communications Director, Mr. Alhassan Abdul Lateef, pleaded with the two members of Parliament (MPs) for Savelugu and Nanton constituencies to use their positions to prevail on the youth to respect the decision of the President and support the MCE, to start the implementation of the good policies and programmes of the government.
The group maintained that any further insecurity, violence and disorder in the Municipality, would derail the development opportunities the people could have benefited from the ruling government.
According to the group, it was high time the youth realised that Hajia Ayishetu was the legitimate MCE for the area, since she was duly confirmed by the assembly members, who are the true representatives of the people.
“As ordinary members of this local government area, we have committed to make it known that the needless dragging of matters will not affect the person and personality of the confirmed MCE, but the entirety of the municipality.”
Meanwhile, as some groups are fighting for calmness to prevail, the MP for Savelugu, Mohammed Abdul Samed Gunu, seems to be firing from all angles, apportioning blame and justifying the actions of the youth.
He accused the Chairman of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) Selection Committee, Peter Mac Manu, as the cause of the chaos in the area.
According to him, Mr. Mac Manu failed to heed the plea of the constituents, who were against the candidature of Hajia Ayishetu Seidu. He has also predicted doom for the NPP in Savelugu in the 2020 general elections.
From Edmond Gyebi, Tamale A group, calling itself Concerned Citizens of Savelugu-Nanton Municipality in the Northern Region, has called on traditional authorities, religious leaders, party executives and supporters, youth groups, and all well-meaning stakeholders in the area, to take bold steps to restrain the angry supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who are causing […] Read Full Story
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