NDC, NPP Clash

The Flag bearers, campaign team and supporters of the ruling NPP and Opposition NDC clashed at the residence of the chief Imam on Friday morning, March 28, 2008. Both the NPP and NDC campaign teams were scheduled to pay courtesy calls on the Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Shaributu. NDC Flag bearer, Prof Atta Mills and his supporters who were the first to meet with the Chief Imam left to address a mini rally at a constituency office at Fadama near Sheikh Shaributu’s house. After the event, the entourage returned and met the NPP flag bearer, Nana Akuffo Addo and his team also taking their turn. The road they were using was then blocked by the vehicles of Nana’s team. Reports reaching Joy News indicate that the NDC and the NPP engaged each other in verbal abuses when each demanded the right of way. Some supporters of the NDC kept chanting “cocaine”, “cocaine” “cocaine”. Explaining the incident to Joy News, an aide to Nana Akufo-Addo, Abu Jinapour claimed that the Member of Parliament for Asutifi South Alhaji Collins Dauda led a group of thugs wielding dangerous weapons and surging towards the NPP flag bearer. According to him, it took the timely intervention of personal bodyguards of Nana Addo and the security personnel to whisk Nana away in his vehicle. Responding to his claims, Alhaji Dauda denied leading thugs who wielded dangerous weapons. He said the incident was not planned, admitting however that he confronted Abu Jinipour and told him to clear the road. Alhaji Dauda said the NDC supporters were rushing to catch Friday prayers at the Abossey Okai Central Mosque and therefore needed to use the road. Explaining why the the two parties were at the Chief Imam's residence, the Protocol Officer at the office of the Chief Iman said the parties were invited to participate in Maulid, birth of Prophet Mohammed. Alhaji Mumin Bayor told Joy News that the flag bearers however sought to meet with the Chief Imam on Friday before the Maulid celebrations slated for Saturday March 29, 2008. Following that request, he said the Chief Imam's office gave the two parties different times but Nana Addo failed meet his time. Alhaji Bayor explained that after the NDC finished with their interaction with Sheikh Shaributu, Nana and his team were invited but NDC spent some time at the party's constituency office resulting in the confrontation.