Mustapha Gbande, Deputy General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticized Minority Leader Afenyo Markin, describing his conduct during the recently concluded Akwatia by-election as immature and unbecoming of a seasoned political leader.
Gbande’s remarks come following reports that Afenyo Markin and his supporters forcibly removed NDC campaign posters from the party’s office in Akwatia.
Speaking to the media, Gbande emphasized that the election process itself was largely peaceful and orderly, with no notable incidents of violence or disruption except for the disturbances allegedly caused by Afenyo Markin.
“The only issue we were concerned about was violence and altercations, which Afenyo Markin seemed intent on provoking throughout the election period,” Gbande stated.
He added that the overall atmosphere at the polls was calm, with practically no recorded incidents of conflict, making Markin’s actions all the more frustrating for NDC supporters.
When questioned about the potential for violence during the election, Gbande was clear but cautious.
“I cannot promise if he continues to misbehave. I can’t promise if Afenyo Markin continues to go around and misbehave,” he said.
“I’m not the one to restrain. I may not be at where he will go and misbehave. And the party supporters, they may not tolerate him. He would have done one place or twice, and the people, they are tolerant.
But the third place, he will misbehave. They may not tolerate him,” Gbande added.
Pressed further about whether political leaders had intervened to restrain Afenyo Markin, Gbande revealed that he had spoken with Markin’s leadership team.
However, he expressed disappointment with Markin’s conduct and urged him to take responsibility and act more maturely.
“He should rise above trying to create unnecessary attention and content for himself. That’s not how to grow politically. If he has political ambitions, that’s not how to nurture it,” Gbande noted.
Gbande stressed that genuine political progress comes from hard work and meaningful engagement, not by seeking controversy or high tension.
“Afenyo Markin is not a lady; he is a man and must demonstrate political maturity. As Minority Leader, he ought to set an example through responsible conduct,” he said.
He also appealed for mutual respect between political parties, reminding that despite differences, the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) share a brotherly relationship.
“There is no need to be mischievous at every turn or to exploit every opportunity for negative publicity, as he has done here,” Gbande lamented.
On the specific incident of tearing down NDC posters at the party office, Gbande expressed incredulity and disapproval.
“How do you go to a political party’s office with that stupid courage to want to tear posters? How? How do I enter somebody’s house without permission? If something happens to you, what would you say.. that the NDC people are violent? That is unnecessary courage,” he remarked.
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
