PNC NEC Meeting Turns Chaotic; 3 Arrested, 4 Injured

Four persons sustained injuries while three others were arrested by the police when confusion broke out at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting preceding the 7th National Delegates Congress of the People National Convention (PNC) held in Wa in the Upper West Region on Saturday.

The three arrested suspects, who are all from Bawku in the Upper East Region, are Seidu Abdul Moomin, 23, Adams Kamal, 21 and Musah Fahad, 25.

The four, all from Wa, who got injured and were treated and discharged at the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa are Gumah Abubakari Nashiru, 24, Musah Mohammed, 22, Masahudu Ibrahim, 22 and Haruna Mohammed, 24.

Confusion

The confusion broke out around 1:30 p.m. when one of the Presidential candidates of the party, Mr Hassan Ayariga, was not happy with a decision at the meeting and walked out of the room.

Following that, his supporters were alleged to have attacked Mr Bala Maikankan, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman who had made the statement which caused his (Ayariga’s) displeasure.

The youth of the Greater Accra Regional Chairman, apparently unhappy with developments, also confronted the supporters of  Hassan Ayariga.

This led to a free-for–all brawl during which a lot of destruction was caused to the plastic chairs, flower pots and rubber containers at the In –Service Training Centre where the meeting took place.

Some supporters fired two warning shots to prevent the riders from entering the room where the NEC meeting was being held.

Timely intervention

But for the timely intervention of a combined team of security personnel comprising the police and the military, the situation could have gotten out of hand.

Their prompt response to the distressed call restored peace and order during which the three suspects were arrested and granted police enquiry bail with one surety.

The clash, amid gunshots, resulted in a confusion among the people lodging in the training centre, a one-star hotel which provides hospitality services to holiday makers and tourists throughout the year. They had to run helter-skelter to take cover for fear of their lives.

The pump action gun is in the custody of the police.

The meeting later went on successfully without any further hitch.