Frederick Opare-Ansah, MP for Suhum
The Suhum municipal police command, in the Eastern Region, has arrested three persons for allegedly attacking one Rev James Aboagye.
The pastor and a sympathizer of the governing New Patriotic Party was said to be sharing some items to the aged in the municipality on behalf of the MP for the area, Frederick Opare Ansah, when he was attacked.
Report suggests that the MP had given some items, including milo, milk, sardine, among others, to a former assembly member of Okroase Electoral Area, in Suhum, Alex Amofa, to be distributed to the elderly in the municipality.
Mr Amofa then decided to involve the pastor who is a staunch supporter of the MP in the distribution of the items, an exercise which the MP has been doing annually.
Infighting
A police source said one Emmanuel Mantey, a polling station secretary of the NPP, is believed to have organised thugs to the pastor’s residence on Tuesday night to beat him up for his actions.
Mantey is said to be the brother of Kwadwo Oboafo Asante, a parliamentary candidate hopeful for the Suhum seat.
Following the assault, the police in a dawn swoop grabbed the three suspects, Kwasi Kai, Kwaku Adutai and one other whose name is currently unknown. The three, part of a group of suspected 15 supporters of Mr Asante, are currently in police custody assisting in investigation. The others, who are currently on the run, have since been declared wanted by the police.
Contest
Mr Oboafo Asante has picked nomination forms to contest in the impending NPP parliamentary primaries in the area slated for April 25.
He will be facing Mr Opare-Ansah, popularly known in the area as Suhum Mugabe. Mr Opare-Ansah, a four-term MP, is seeking re-election for a fifth term.
Both the MP and Mr Oboafo Asante have called for calm ahead of the primaries. The MP has, however, urged the police to institute swift investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, some youth activists of the NPP in the area have condemned the incidence.
A statement signed by one Larbi Emmanuel Ofori Junior, reminded all party faithful that “violence and capricious acts do not win elections”.
The statement further advised supporters from both sides to refrain from such reprehensible acts.
