BY Nadia Ntiamoah
Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, has issued a strongly-worded statement expressing his disappointment and concern over the arrest of Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, who serves as the Bono Regional Chairman of the party.
According to Boadu, the arrest of Abronye is not only a violation of his fundamental rights but also a clear reflection of the government’s growing intolerance toward dissenting voices.
He stressed that such actions erode the principles of democracy and freedom of expression upon which the governance system is built.
Kwame Baffoe Abronye was reportedly arrested after making unsavory remarks about the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno.
His statements, which allegedly included personal insults, triggered swift action from the Police Service.
However, the police have defended their decision, insisting that the conduct of Abronye warranted an official response.
John Boadu, while condemning the language Abronye used against the IGP and acknowledging that it was inappropriate, argued that the substantive issues Abronye raised were legitimate concerns that fell within the jurisdiction of the police to investigate, not dismiss.
Claims
John Boadu questioned what he described as “double standards” in the application of the law.
He cited previous incidents involving NDC’s Awudu Sofo Azorka, who allegedly issued death threats against Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and orchestrated an attack on NPP’s 3rd Vice Chairman, Alhaji Osman Masawudu.
According to Boadu, despite the seriousness of those actions, no arrest was made, raising suspicions of selective justice.
“Is Azorka above the law? Why should Abronye be treated differently?” Boadu asked, stressing that the inconsistency in law enforcement exposes the political motivation behind Abronye’s arrest.
Heavy-Handed Police Tactics
Even more troubling for the former NPP General Secretary was the manner in which Abronye’s arrest unfolded.
He alleged that, though Abronye had been invited by the police to appear on Monday, armed officers stormed the residence of former Greater Accra Regional Youth Organizer, Moses Abor, on Sunday.
The officers reportedly claimed they were searching for Abronye, a move Boadu described as a deliberate attempt to harass and intimidate.
“This was no mere accident. It was a calculated exercise of intimidation,” he said.
Threat To Ghana’s Democracy
John Boadu warned that such actions undermine the trust Ghanaians have in state institutions and threaten the country’s democratic progress.
He emphasized that democracy thrives on tolerance and diversity of opinion, not on silencing opposition through fear.
“The arrest of Abronye DC is political witch-hunting and a crude display of selective justice. It is the hallmark of weak leadership that fears the voices of its citizens,” Boadu declared.
Call For Caution
The former NPP chief scribe cautioned the government against what he described as authoritarian tendencies and attempts to gag minority and opposition voices.
He warned that continued repression could provoke greater political resistance than the government anticipates.
