A Deputy Communications Minister in the erstwhile John Dramani Mahama's administration, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has described as ‘flat lies’, comments made by retired Army Chief, Captain Budu Koomson to the effect that security personnel who visited the residence of NDC parliamentary Candidate, Delali Kwesi Brempong did so based on prior intelligence.

Captain Koomson, during his submission on Joynews’ Newsfile show indicated that per information from his sources, the attired security personnel who trooped the residence of Mr. Brempong did so after being informed that there were weapons, ammunitions and armed personnel in that house prior to the polls.

He further noted that the exchange of fire, per information available to him started after the men, attired in brown and apparent members of the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU), were denied entry into the house upon arrival. From there he said, there was building tension which ultimately resulted in the exchange of fire and violence.

“On the issue of command and control, apparently, there was actionable intelligence from them, that there were weapons, ammunitions, and people who had actually gathered at the candidate’s place”.

“The Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU), those guys in the brown, it’s unfortunate that their cover is so blown, is actually part of the SWAT team. According to them, they had actionable intelligence that there were weapons, ammunitions and personnel in that house…..tension had started building. When these guys got to the house, definitely, they were denied entry and one thing led to another, and then this exchange of fire”, he told Newsfile host, Samson Anyenini Saturday.

Mr. Kwakye Ofosu however disagrees with Mr. Koomson’s comments.



Describing the remarks as ‘partisan’, he maintained that the claims were ‘fabricated by the NPP as a pretext to use their armed bandits’ to bully their competition.

“Budu Koomson is a known NPP operative. His claim that the NPP thugs were acting on intelligence relating the stock-piling or arms near Delali Brempong's residence is a flat lie. That claim was fabricated by the NPP as a pretext to use their armed bandits to terrorise and intimidate NDC members during the by-election. The media too must do better than presenting partisan elements as independent analysts”, he wrote in a post.

Background

There was a shooting by some armed security personnel at the residence of NDC Parliamentary candidate for the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency on January 31, 2019.



The incident, which occurred close to the poll grounds shook the wrong nerves and sparked chaos at the center.

Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Sam Nartey George also received some hefty slaps from the attired men when he protested events that happened at the premises of his candidate.

Thirteen party members were injured and were rushed to the Legon and 37 Military hospital for treatment and because of the happenings, the NDC withdrew from the race.



Both the NDC and NPP held press conferences to address the issue and calm their angry supporters.

Police also emerged to clear the air, maintaining that no deaths occurred and confirming the discharge of all injured persons. The EC on Friday, ironically declared the polls a peaceful one, confirming no abnormalities at any of the polling stations. According to her, the security personnel were not implored by the commission and that as far as they are concerned, the polls were free and fair.

Of course, some civil groups, parties, MPs condemned the act, and called for government to intervene accordingly.

Then there was Former President John Mahama’s ‘revolutionary’ comments that brought a new side to the issue. He warned the NPP to be careful considering the NDC’s revolutionary background. Many including the peace council have since condemned his statements and termed it as inciting and irresponsible.