A former presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party, Kennedy Agyapong has formally withdrawn from the NPP’s ongoing “Thank You” tour, citing security concerns for his supporters as the reason for his decision.
His decision follows a violent incident involving the stabbing of a Unity Hall-affiliated student from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), who is believed to be one of his supporters.
The victim, a member of Unity Hall’s Jama group, had been engaged by Agyapong’s team to perform at an event held at the Pentecost Church in Bantama, Kumasi.
However, report indicates that during a confrontation between the Jama group and a group of armed men marked by gunfire, one Jama member was stabbed and subsequently rushed to the emergency unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.
Addressing the media early this morning, Mr. Agyapong confirmed his withdrawal from the tour and pledged to seek justice for the victim.
“ What happened yesterday, myself and my team want to pull out because lives are threatened. I don’t think I can protect my team enough, so we want out so that Dr. Bawumia can do his campaign talk.”
I admit that he was the flag bearer, so it is going wrong and for the sake of unity, he invites us and it turns out to be something different.
“I mean, we just have to stay away for them to do their own thing. So in brief, all I’m saying is my team is pulling out, but I still call for unity in the party. This will not scare me to leave the party.”
The altercation that led to the stabbing is reported to have begun when a group of students tried to stop armed men allegedly linked to former Vice President Bawumia’s camp from seizing cash that had been given to them after the event.
Meanwhile, Mr. Agyapong denied allegations that his supporters were fighting over GHC 2,000.00 and clarifies it was GHC 1,000.00 seized from students by Dr. Bawumia’s security.
Mr. Agyapong, urged members of Dr. Bawumia’s camp to refrain from actions that could undermine the peace and unity the NPP is striving to uphold.
“In a matter like this, we have to be seen apologizing. We should be apologetic. But if you come up with false publications like that, then we are being defensive. It will not help the unity that we want. So I’m pleading with those on the other side, managing social media, saying all sorts of things. I’ve seen it all. I don’t want to respond.”
Kennedy Agyapong reiterated his commitment to contest for a position within the party and will not back down despite intimidation.
“…At an appropriate time, I assure them that we are also going to campaign. I want everybody to know, every party member to know that I’m going to contest and so they should be ready. And respectfully, nobody can tell me to back off. I will not back off because we started from 1990 till now…”
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Source: Eric Sekyi/ATLFMNEWS
