The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of planning to deploy a vigilante group, allegedly known as the “Eagle Force,” to disrupt the upcoming December 7, 2024, general elections.
Speaking at a press conference held at the party’s headquarters in Asylum Down on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, NPP National Organizer Henry Nana Boakye outlined claims that the NDC has secretly recruited members of its affiliated small-scale mining network for this purpose.
Alleged Covert Meeting
According to Nana Boakye, on November 11, 2024, the NDC’s Committee on Mining, led by Tony Aubynn, a former Chief Executive of the Minerals Commission, allegedly held a covert meeting at the conference hall of Mawuli Hotel in Bidiem, located in the Obuasi West Municipality. The meeting reportedly focused on strategies to mobilize operatives to disrupt voting and counting processes in NPP strongholds.
Allegations of Planned Election Day Violence
The NPP claims that the NDC plans to deploy motorbike-riding thugs to NPP polling stations on election day, where they intend to shoot indiscriminately to create fear and panic, suppress voter turnout, and disrupt vote counting. The party further alleged that criminal elements, including armed robbers, would be used to increase incidents of robbery and kidnapping in the days leading up to the elections, creating an atmosphere of insecurity.
Nana Boakye added that despite the enactment of the Anti-Vigilantism Act, the NDC allegedly launched another vigilante group, the “Azoka Boys,” in the Asawase Constituency of the Ashanti Region on November 4, 2024. These individuals, he claimed, have been tasked with voter intimidation in the region, a key electoral battleground.
NPP’s Call for Action
The NPP National Organizer assured Ghanaians that the party is vigilant and prepared to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. He emphasized the NPP’s commitment to using all lawful means to protect democracy and ensure peaceful elections.
He also called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to immediately arrest those involved in the launch of the Azoka Boys in Asawase and to investigate the alleged plans for election-related violence.
State security and intelligence agencies were urged to remain proactive in thwarting what the NPP described as “dangerous machinations” by the NDC. Nana Boakye also cautioned that the NPP would not tolerate any attempts to intimidate voters or subvert the electoral process.
A Call for National Unity
Nana Boakye concluded by urging Ghanaians to reject the alleged tactics of intimidation and violence. “Let us show the world once again that Ghana is a shining example of peaceful and credible elections,” he said, rallying citizens to stand firm in defense of democracy.
The NDC is yet to respond to these allegations.
