New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for (MP) for Okere constituency in the Eastern Region has expressed shock at the conduct of the Upper East regional Police Command over the venue for their final rally ahead of the Talensi by-election.
According to him, the police in its bid to succumb to the whims and caprices of government wants to intimidate the NPP.
Mr. Botwe's comments is in reaction to claims by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) that they secured permit to use the same venue, a park in Tongo in the constituency which the NPP requested on Sunday July 5, 2015.
The Upper East Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), ASP Thomas Agbanyo maintained that the ruling party brought their letter first thus the NPP must either postpone or choose another venue.
In a rebuttal, Dan Botwe said on Asempa FM Friday that the police is being economical with the truth.
“I am shocked and embarrassed at the conduct of the police. I wish they could look into my face and tell me this,” Dan Botwe said.
The Okere MP noted that when he together with National Organizer, John Boadu submitted the letter, no political party had made a request so “this cock and bull story by the police is shocking”. “The police is a very disciplined and professional organizer and very conscious of their integrity so this should not happen,” he stated.
Dan Botwe stated emphatically that the NPP will hold its rally on the Tongo Park on Sunday and no one can prevent them. “We have served our letter, followed it and confirmed our rally on July 5 so it will come on,” he stressed.
If anything at all, Dan Botwe said the police should be apologising to the NDC for the mix up. He called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Alhassan to intervene to salvage the integrity of the service.
Meanwhile, National Organiser of the NDC, Kofi Adams called the bluff of the 'frustrated' NPP leaders. He said the NPP is just making ugly noises because “they don’t exist in Talensi, in fact they are out of the race”.
Kofi Adams insisted that the NDC wrote officially to the Upper East Regional Police Command on June 19th to request a venue for the rally so the NPP has no case.
He urged the NPP not to take their frustration on the police and comply with the law.
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