The official vehicle of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Binduri Constituency was set on fire by gunmen on Monday night at the residence of the party’s Chairman, Samuel Ayaago, in Atuba, Binduri District.
Eyewitnesses reported that between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, three masked men on two motorbikes fired gunshots at the front of the party chairman’s house. They then poured a liquid believed to be petrol and burned the party’s Nissan Pickup with registration number GX 4164 – 17 to ashes.
The identity and motive of the perpetrators remain unclear, but there have been recent social media voice recordings threatening individuals in Binduri, Bawku Central, Zebilla, Garu, Tempane, and Pusiga constituencies against displaying political party symbols of the NPP’s presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in the Kusaug traditional area.
The party vehicle, adorned with pictures of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the NPP Parliamentary Candidate, Abdulai Abanga, is believed to have been the target of the attack.
Constituents of Binduri gathered at the party chairman’s house on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, to view the remains of the burnt vehicle and express their sympathy. They described the incident as unfortunate and unnecessary.
A resident, speaking anonymously to this reporter, suggested that the attack was politically motivated, with opponents of the NPP in Binduri exploiting the conflict in Bawku to deter constituents from supporting Abdulai Abanga and the NPP.
Abdulai Abanga, the Member of Parliament for Binduri and Deputy Minister for Local Government, visited the scene and expressed confidence in law enforcement authorities to apprehend the culprits.
He emphasized that no amount of violence will deter the people of Binduri from exercising
their democratic right.
He urged all constituents, especially NPP supporters, to remain calm despite feeling threatened for their political affiliations. He called for unity among party members and sympathizers aligned with the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and himself.
Police have initiated an investigation into the incident and have yet to release any findings to the public.
Source: Sarah Dubure