The campaign of former President John Dramani Mahama in the Ashanti Region was marred in Obuasi when members of the party’s vigilante groups traded blows in public.
Two vigilante groups of the party – the Hawks and the NDC Taskforce- reportedly clashed in the presence of Mr. Mahama on Monday.
The two groups engaged in a fight for supremacy in the protection of the ex-president.
In the course of the melee, the Ashanti Regional Chairman and Secretary of the NDC, Augustus Nana Akwasi and Kwame Zu respectively were nearly assaulted by the ‘macho men.’
Sources close to the Mahama Campaign Team confirmed the development to DAILY GUIDE on Tuesday evening.
Kwame Zu, the newly elected Ashanti Regional Secretary, also stated that the two groups fought in public.
He, however, flatly denied that the Regional NDC Chairman was beaten by the NDC goons in public.
Hawks Slap NDC Chair
Contrary to Kwame Zu’s assertion, some eyewitnesses said the Hawks slapped Nana Akwasi when he attempted to shake hands with the ex-president.
They claimed the regional chairman expressed surprise about the treatment meted out to him by the NDC Hawks but could not utter a word.
According to them, Kwame Zu was also nearly assaulted by the Hawks when he also attempted to greet Mr. Mahama.
Reports suggested that Mr. Mahama supported Joseph Yammin in the recent contest with Augustus Nana Akwasi.
Response
Kwame Zu admitted that he and Nana Akwasi were pushed aside in a violent fashion by some members of the Hawks in the Obuasi East Constituency.
According to him, there seems to be some bad blood between the Hawks and NDC Taskforce, who are fighting for supremacy in the party.
Kwame Zu said “in the course of the brawl between the two groups, Nana Akwasi, who was standing right there, was accidentally pushed by the Hawks.
“Nobody slapped our regional chairman or prevented him from shaking hands with Mr. Mahama, you know I respect so I won’t lie to you.
“I was accidentally pushed during the melee between the Hawks and the NDC Taskforce but please nobody prevented us from going near Mr. Mahama,” he added.
From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi