Accra, Sept. 1, GNA - Three NDC Members of Parliament for Tamale on Monday condemned the riots in the municipality on Sunday, blaming the ruling NPP for sparking the hostilities.

It also asked for a thorough investigation into the case and bring the culprits to book, saying neither the NDC nor its leadership was responsible for the unacceptable violent scenes in Tamale and Gushiegu. The NDC appealed to its leadership and teaming supporters to remain calm in the face of extreme and deliberate provocations.

The MPs are Mr Abukari Suman, MP for Tamale North, Mr Inusah Fuseini, MP for Tamale Central, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South. They told a press conference in Accra that the riots were an election related issue and that, nothing should be done to mar the December 7 elections. Mr. Fuseini, spokesman for the group said: "We, however, are not surprised at this lawlessness as we are convinced that they are part of the grand design of the NPP to secure a seat in the Tamale Metropolis by violence and intimidation." Mr. Fuseini condemned pro-New Patriotic Party media publications which tried to link the incident to the NDC with very misleading and baseless headlines. He said at about 6.00 pm on Sunday a "Group of gun wielding NPP youth in a pick-up shot their way to an area around the Gulkpe Naa's Palace, destroying all visible signs of NDC paraphernalia, seized three motor bikes parked while their owners were praying, moved them unto the main Tamale Hospital Road and burnt them amidst the firing of guns."

He said there were also attacks on the NDC's constituency chairman and his house and vehicles have been burnt down by irate NPP mob. Mr. Fuseini said the violence was also extended to Gusheigu as well as other parts of Tamale.

"We believe that, the NPP orchestrated this disturbance to create the prevailing conditions in Tamale and Gushiegu presently and to provide justification for engaging in this wanton destruction of property and the threat to human life and personal security in the area." 1 Sept. 08