Dr Abubakar Alhassan, National Chairman of the CPP, has attributed the disturbances in Tamale to lack of popular representation at the Municipal Assembly. He explained that the Interim Management Committee (IMC) arrangement put in place by the government to manage the Assembly could not effectively debate issues affecting the broad masses of the people.

Briefing newsmen on arrangements towards uniting the "CPP family" and the holding of a National Delegates Congress in June this year, Dr Alhassan said the causes of could have been debated and the issues addressed if there were elected Assembly Members.

He called on the government and the Electoral Commission to resolve issues impeding the holding of elections in the Dagbon State without further delay. The CPP Chairman described the IMCs in the Dabgon area as "specially selected and therefore running one-man show business to the detriment of the masses" and urged the government to abolish them to create a situation for free and fair elections in 2004.

He said the recent violence in Tamale was unfortunate, adding that, the Executives of the CPP in Tamale were mediating with those of the NPP and the NDC to find a lasting solution to the problem. Dr Alhassan called on the leaders and supporters of political parties to preach peace needed for democracy thrive in the country.

Although the CPP supported the NPP in the 2000 elections, this time round, the party would not give the NPP any support because of differences in their ideologies, he said. "For instance, while the NPP wants the private sector to lead in the development process, the CPP wants the government to lead in development process of the country".