I will not resign – IGP

General News on Thursday, February 14, 2019

Source: starrfm.com.gh

2019-02-14

Inspector General of Police (IGP) David Asante-Apeatu firmly rejected calls for his resignation.

The IGP was under intense pressure to abdicate its post after the partial election of Ayawaso West Wuogon in Accra last month.

Six people were shot dead at the Baweleshie voting center in the constituency, forcing the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to withdraw from the exercise for security reasons.

Voters were electing a new MP for the region in the by-election necessitated by the pbading of incumbent MP Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko, representing the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The partial election was won by Lydia Seyran Alhbadan, wife of the late MP on the ruling NPP ticket, garnering over 60% of the total valid votes cast.

Calls for resignation

The chaos and the shootings that characterized the elections have provoked much criticism from Ghanaians, including civil society organizations and international agencies. The IGP is the focus of concern, as calls for his resignation intensify among opposition NDC members.

For example, the NDC MP for Kumbungu Ras Mubarak, calling for the resignation of the IGP, claimed that his retention could not be justified in the face of the chaos that had bloodied the by-election.

The former Chief of Staff, Nana Ato Dadzie, also stated in a statement: "The Inspector General of Police must relinquish his mandate and his staff to relinquish his mandate because he found the violation and abuse of his command by the intrusion of a force.

"The transportation of incriminated persons in official Ghanaian police vehicles and the display of their trademark material confirm this request. The same goes for the sad spectacle of helplessness and the non-intervention of senior police officers on the scene. "

I will not resign

IGP Asante-Apeatu said Thursday at a press conference in Accra that he was going nowhere.

"I do not think my resignation will stop any short Commission inquiry," he said.

"Acting to know if he should be appointed by an independent body rather than by the president, he said:" I have been appointed by the president. My appointment is in the constitution. If anyone has anything against it, then start lobbying Parliament for a possible revision of the constitution. "

In the meantime, he issued a stern warning to political party leaders. His team will ruthlessly face all of their supporters who would engage in political activism.

"The police will not tolerate any form of political violence," he said.