The head office of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Accra was subjected to an act of vandalism as aggrieved supporters of a disqualified parliamentary candidate Michael Nii Yarboi expressed their anger.
The incident, which took place earlier Wednesday, saw the protesters blocking the road and causing traffic disruptions.
Michael Nii Yarboi, an aspiring parliamentary candidate in the Odododiodioo Constituency, was disqualified from participating in the upcoming elections under the NDC ticket. This decision by the party leadership led to a wave of frustration among his supporters, culminating in the destructive protest at the NDC head office.
The enraged supporters vented their anger by heaping refuse in front of the party’s headquarters, symbolically expressing their dissatisfaction with the party’s decision.
The obstruction caused by the roadblock led to significant traffic congestion in the vicinity, inconveniencing commuters and passersby.
The protesters, donning party paraphernalia and chanting slogans in support of Michael Nii Yarboi, accused the NDC leadership of unfair treatment and bias in disqualifying their preferred candidate.
They demanded a reversal of the decision, expressing their intention to continue their protests until their concerns are addressed.
This comes after the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the National Democratic Congress in a statement issued on Tuesday disqualified Michael Nii Yarboi from contesting in the party’s upcoming parliamentary primary in the Odododiodioo Constituency.
The decision was based on a report submitted by the Special Committee assigned to investigate the violence that occurred at Odododiodioo Constituency during the vetting of parliamentary aspirants held on October 13, 2023.
In response to the incident, the NDC released a statement condemning the acts of vandalism and expressing disappointment in the actions of the aggrieved supporters.
The party emphasized its commitment to internal party democracy and the need for supporters to respect the decisions made by the party’s leadership.
The Ghana Police Service swiftly deployed personnel to the scene to maintain order and disperse the protesters.
The incident has sparked a debate on the internal democratic processes within political parties and the implications of disqualifications on party unity and support.
The NDC will now be faced with the task of addressing the concerns of the aggrieved supporters while maintaining party discipline and cohesion in the lead-up to the elections.
As investigations into the vandalism continue, the police have urged the public to remain calm and refrain from engaging in any further acts of violence or destruction.
By Vincent Kubi