The Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has fought claims that the party’s Chairman abandoned party supporters that were present at the Cantonments Police Station in Accra, demanding the release of Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, the party’s parliamentary candidate for Awutu Senya East in the Central Region.
Former Deputy General Secretary for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, has slammed the Chairman of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketia for allegedly abandoning party folks.
Okunor’s detention on Friday evening sparked widespread outrage among NDC members and sympathizers.
Following her arrest, the party’s flagbearer condemned the police action and called for her immediate release to maintain national stability.
Sammy Gyamfi, the party’s National Communications Officer, urged party members to assemble at the Cantonments Police Station to protest the detention.
The demonstrators, clad in the party’s colors and chanting slogans supporting Okunor, expressed their anger at what they perceive as an unjust and politically motivated arrest.
Engaging the supporters, Mr Nketia, in a video shared by Mr Anyidoho expressed his frustration over the police to make known details on the arrest of Naa Koryoo who detained after an order from above.
He noted that he told the officers that he is leaving Deputy Secretary for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Mustapha Gbande in charge and would not be held responsible for what takes place after his absence.
Reacting to this, Mr Anyidoho in a post on X wrote, “How does a general lead people to battle and tell them that he is abandoning them and will not be responsible for anything that happens to them?”
But engaging the media after her release on Saturday morning, Mr Gyamfi noted that Mr Asiedu Nketia was at the CID office engaging the authorities for over 6 hours throughout the night.
Former President John Mahama issued a statement alleging that the Inspector General of Police, George Dampare, ordered the detention under the instructions of National Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah. He suggested this move was intended to intimidate the NDC candidate in her campaign against the incumbent Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hawa Koomson, in the upcoming elections.
Mahama warned that such actions could heighten political tensions and threaten national peace and stability ahead of the crucial 2024 elections. He demanded Okunor’s immediate release and called on the police and government to uphold justice and fairness.
The police station was heavily guarded, with law enforcement officers present to maintain order.