The East Ayawaso Constituency branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) said there is ample evidence to believe that "the riots and carnage" at Nima on May 11 were politically motivated.

"The riots at Nima were not spontaneous as many people would want us to believe. They were planned and executed mainly to hurt the NPP politically and also embarrass the government of President Kufuor."

Mr Felix Akurugu, Ward Chairman, told a press conference in Accra that evidence of the planning includes the destruction of NPP signboards as well as posters of President John Kufuor at Nima roundabout and elsewhere.

"Pan African Hotel, which happens to belong to the Ayawaso Chairman of the NPP, was a major target of attack and vandalism. Shops and lotto kiosks most of which belong to NPP activists were looted," he said.

Mr Akurugu said the constituency would not be satisfied with only condemnations, accusations or vague denials by the NDC of any involvement of Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, former Minister of Youth and Sports, in the riots until investigations are completed by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI.)

The NPP criticised the boycott of parliament for four days by the NDC MPs in protest at the arrest and detention of Mr Mensah saying, "we see their action as diversionary and an attempt to stall the wheels of justice".

"The NDC instead of boycotting parliament and issuing statements which are full of half-truths, should encourage the BNI to investigate the riots. Who knows, Mr E. T. Mensah may be exonerated."

Mr Akurugu admonished the NDC to exhibit a clear and steady show of interest in the stability and security of the country.

He warned that members of the East Ayawaso Constituency of the NPP would not "sit down for hooligans and thugs at Nima and their pay-masters to use them as cannon-fodder".

"We will resist all attempts and fight anytime we and our property are attacked. The NPP will simply not tolerate any acts of indiscipline and lawlessness directed at its members and supporters."

Mr Stephen Tetteh Kwame, Proprietor of the Pan African Hotel, said he suffered heavy losses during the attack at his hotel on that day.

"The thugs broke into one of the rooms of the hotel and made away with a brief case containing valuable documents," he said