Sam Pyne
The Ashanti Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sam Pyne, has allegedly been manhandled by some angry NPP members at Oforikrom.
The unfortunate development occurred on Saturday evening during the Oforkrom Constituency NPP primaries, which was characterized by violence.
Sam Pyne was accused by supporters of one Seidu Awud, who was contesting for the constituency chairmanship position, of rigging the polls.
The angry supporters of Seidu nearly manhandled Sam Pyne, who was luckily whisked away by the police with the support of members of the Delta Force.
The mob also smashed the side glass of the vehicle of Sam Pyne with stones after they held his driver hostage at the venue.
The police and the Delta Force members did a yeoman’s job of saving the driver.
Narrating his ordeal to Kofi Asante of Nhyira Fm in Kumasi, Sam Pyne said he did not change the results of the polls as being alleged.
According to him, during the counting of the ballot papers, Abraham Antwi initially secured 391 votes.
He said when Seidu’s ballot papers were being counted, the agent of Abraham saw 50 ballot papers of his candidate in that of the aggrieved member.
The agent drew the attention of Electoral Commission (EC) officials who quickly added the 50 to the ballot papers of Abraham.
According to Sam Pyne, the supporters of Seidu surprisingly accused him of rigging the polls in favour of Abraham.
He charged supporters of Seidu to switch off the lights at the venue and violently attacked him without provocation.
“Someone hit me from behind and they were coming towards me but the police and the Delta Force members quickly moved me to the police station,” he disclosed.
Sam Pyne said he learnt that his car had been hijacked by the angry party members at the venue.
“The police eventually managed to prevent the charged group from burning my car; the group however smashed the side glass before it was retrieved.”
Sam Pyne said he would ensure the arrest of the perpetrators.
Seidu Awudu, who spoke on the same network, said he was declared winner in the polls and his opponent (Abraham) even congratulated him.
To his surprise, he said few minutes later, he was told that 50 of his ballot papers rather belong to Abraham.
Seidu, who suspected foul play, said he has petitioned the leadership of the party, adding that his next line of action would be based on
the outcome of his petition.
From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi