Ablekuma North rerun violence involved more than eight people – NPP to IGP

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has voiced strong dissatisfaction with the handling of investigations into the violence that disrupted the Ablekuma North by-election rerun, arguing that many perpetrators are still at large.

The rerun, held on July 11, 2025, across 19 polling stations, turned violent when thugs stormed the St. Peter’s Society Methodist Church polling centre and attacked party members, including Hawa Koomson and other NPP officials.

On Tuesday, August 26, eight men — Mohammed Abubakari, Tijani Mahmudu, Prince Dzakpasu, Anas Mohammed, Mohammed Hamda, Darko Otibu Samuel, Musah Muntari, and Ali Saeed (alias Bomba) — pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and assault at the Circuit Court in Accra. They were convicted for their roles in the disturbances.

However, the NPP insists that the violence was perpetrated by more than just those convicted.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, August 27, 2025, the party’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, criticised the Ghana Police Service for what he described as “slow and selective justice.”

“Despite the numerous video evidence available to the media and individuals, the Ghana Police Service has failed to make any meaningful progress in apprehending the real perpetrators to face the full recourse of the law.

“We hear some eight were arrested and granted bail, but the point is that the people involved in the violence are more than eight,” Ahiagbah stated.

He further accused the police of granting bail to suspects “on the blind side” of the party, despite earlier assurances of a full-scale investigation.

The NPP has therefore urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to intensify efforts to ensure that all those responsible for the Ablekuma North by-election violence are brought to justice.