Tensions ran high at the Akwatia Lorry Station in the Vawaso Electoral Area on Tuesday when a scuffle broke out between Alhaji Osman Masawudu, the third National Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and the escort of the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) Vice Chairman, Chief Sofo Azorka.
According to Alhaji Masawudu, the confrontation occurred while he was speaking to the media near the Akwatia Zongo area, where he had been deployed to monitor the ongoing by-election.
“I have been assigned to supervise and monitor the election at Akwatia Zongo. In fact, I was granting an interview when a national vice chairman of the NDC, Azorka — because of ignorance — came straight to where I was granting an interview to attack me,” Masawudu recounted.
He further alleged that the altercation took place in the full view of security officers.
“This incident happened in the presence of the police. He said it clearly that today he will make sure that I will be caned here, myself and Afenyo-Markin,” he claimed.
Eyewitnesses reported that the clash escalated quickly, leading to a member of Azorka’s escort slapping Masawudu before police intervened to restore calm. No arrests have been confirmed as of now.
The incident adds to a string of confrontations between supporters of the two main political parties as voting continues across 119 polling stations in the constituency. More than 50,000 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots by the close of polls in what is shaping up to be a high-stakes by-election.
