“It Was Vendetta, Not Political Violence” – Vanderpuye on Ablekuma North Clash
Former MP blames unresolved past violence and lack of accountability for chaos at Ablekuma North polling station, distancing the incident from partisan motives.
- Vanderpuye says Ablekuma North violence was a personal vendetta, not politically motivated
- Links incident to past unchecked actions by former MP Hawa Koomson
- Calls for justice and accountability to prevent future retaliation
The National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) and former Odododiodioo MP, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has refuted claims that the recent violence during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun was politically driven.
According to him, the incident stemmed from personal grudges rather than partisan conflict.
Speaking on Thursday, July 17, Vanderpuye stressed that the disturbances at St. Peter’s polling station should not be viewed through a political lens.
“I strongly oppose political violence,” he said. “But what occurred in Ablekuma North was a vendetta. It lacked the pattern of organized political violence. Apart from that polling station, the rest of the process was peaceful.”
Vanderpuye linked the clash to past tensions involving former Awutu Senya East MP, Mavis Hawa Koomson, alleging that her history of using violence against specific groups in her constituency may have fueled the recent retaliation.
“Hawa Koomson has over the years inflicted violence on certain individuals in her constituency. Lives were lost, some were maimed, and justice was never served. If her government had acted back then, what happened in Ablekuma North might have been avoided,” he argued.
He believes that the absence of accountability for prior incidents has bred resentment and a desire for revenge among affected individuals.
The violence erupted on Friday, July 11, when a group of unidentified thugs invaded the St. Peter’s polling station during the rerun, disrupting voting and creating panic.
Channel One News’ Jude Duncan reported that a female polling agent was brutally attacked and sustained serious facial injuries. Former Minister Hawa Koomson was also assaulted during the incident, escalating concerns over electoral security.
The situation was eventually brought under control after security personnel were reinforced in the area.
