Member of Parliament for Akwapim North, Sammi Awuku, has accused the John Mahama-led administration of deliberately targeting opposition figures and their supporters through the selective application of the law.
Speaking at the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) “Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna” demonstration in Accra on September 23, Mr Awuku said the government was using intimidation tactics to weaken the opposition.
“Today, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. The selective application of the rule of law and the laws of our country is sickening,” he declared.
Alleged Double Standards
Mr Awuku cited instances where senior members of the ruling party were allegedly treated with leniency despite making inflammatory statements, while opposition leaders faced severe consequences for comparatively minor remarks.
“You will have a Vice Chairman of a ruling party making incendiary comments and attacks, and threatening bodily harm and the elimination of opposition figures. He’s called over tea or coffee, and he’s granted bail,” he claimed.
“Then you have the regional chairman of the opposition party make comments that the police find offensive and difficult to stomach, and the person is put behind bars and given draconian bail conditions,” he added.
NPP Youth Commended
Mr Awuku praised young members of the NPP for standing firm against what he described as harassment and intimidation, vowing that the party would not allow its leaders to be silenced.
“I’m happy that the NPP’s young folks have risen to the occasion and are also clear in their minds that they will resist oppressors’ rule and speak against injustice, and also speak against the harassment and intimidation and the deliberate gagging up of opposition party leaders; this we will not allow,” he warned.
The demonstration ended with the presentation of petitions to President John Mahama and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno.