Yendi MP Disputes Assaulting Citi News Journalist; Sets Records Straight

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in the Northern Region has accused the MP for Yendi, Alhaji Farouk Aliu Mahama, of assaulting Citi FM/TV journalist Mohammed Amin Alabira on Sunday during the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primary election in the Constituency.

However, the Office of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Yendi has denied these allegations in response to the complaint.

Below is the full statement released by the Office of the MP for Yendi.

The Office of the MP for Yendi, Hon. Farouk Aliu Mahama strongly denies any involvement in an incident concerning an assault on Mr. Mohammed Alabira, a journalist from Citinews. We also categorically reject the claim that individuals associated with the Honourable MP engaged in that regrettable act.

Hon. Farouk Aliu Mahama has consistently advocated for a peaceful and constructive political environment. We do not endorse or engage in any form of violence. We want to make it clear that the honourable member does not endorse assault on anybody.

The alleged incident occurred during a chaotic situation disrupting of a hitherto peaceful election process masterminded by Murtala Shani Mahama, elder brother of then opposing candidate. We extend our sincere sympathies to Mr. Alabira Mohammed for any distressing incident. The Office expresses our deep concern and is ready to offer support and facilitate any assistance he may require during this time.

Hon. Farouk Aliu Mahama condemns all forms of violence, and we fully support a swift and impartial investigation into the matter. We are committed to cooperating with the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served. Hon. Farouk Aliu Mahama expresses his profound sympathy and vehemently denounces the act. We trust that the appropriate authorities will handle this matter with the urgency it deserves. We call on the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and all stakeholders to refrain from making premature judgments and work with the Office for a composed resolution,” the statement from the office said.

 

Background

Citi FM/Citi TV’s Northern regional correspondent, Mohammed Aminu M. Alabira, was allegedly assaulted by the Member of Parliament for Yendi in the Northern Region, Farouk Aliu Mahama, during the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary primary on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

Violence erupted during the counting process at the Yendi Senior High School.

It is alleged that one of the Electoral Commission’s officials was caught destroying the ballots of Farouk Aliu Mahama’s opponents, which led to the violence.

Mohammed Alabira was caught in the violence, where he was slapped from behind by Farouk Aliu Mahama while he was filing a live report.

He said the MP’s boys took a cue from their boss and pounced on him, beating him, and eventually tearing his shirt in the process.

“It was the MP [Farouk Aliu Mahama] who slapped me, and his people kicked me and took my phone away. I was reporting on the violence that was happening during the counting process, so I asked the MP why that was happening, and he got up and came and slapped me, and his people also started beating me up.”

Alabira narrated that it was the police at the venue who rescued him from the fury and attacks of the MP’s boys. He added that the MP moved ahead of the police vehicle that was taking him to the Yendi Divisional Police Command and blocked the entrance to the police station.

“It was the police that rescued me, and I was there with them in the company of the Divisional Police Commander, and Farouk [Aliu Mahama] came and blocked the entrance. So we were kept in the bus for more than one hour before we called for reinforcement from the Ghana Armed Forces, who came and rescued us because his supporters were threatening to pelt the bus with stones.”

Mohammed Aminu M. Alabira has received medical attention.

He has also officially reported the issue to the Yendi Divisional Police command.

 

GJA’s Reactions

Meanwhile; the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Northern Regional Chairman Yakubu Abdul-Majeed had said in a press release stated that Farouk Aliu Mahama assaulted the journalist in question and that it was calling on the police to arrest the lawmaker and to look into the matter immediately.

“It has officially been reported to us that Mr. Mohammed Aminu Alabira, a Reporter for CITI FM/TV, was attacked at the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Parliamentary Primaries in the Yendi Constituency in the Northern Region while he was covering proceedings there”, he said in a released statement.

According to Mr Alabira, while going about his professional duties on Saturday, January 27, 2024 the Member of Parliament (MP) for Yendi, Alhaji Farouk Aliu Mahama slapped and kicked him, and he fell on the ground. He added that some of the MP’s supporters also pounced on him in the full glare of the security personnel, who managed to rescue him from them.

The GJA strongly condemns this antediluvian act. It is very sad and disturbing that this boorish and vulgar act was perpetrated by no less a person than the MP of the area. This is very shameful and must be condemned by all well-meaning citizens,” the release said.

 

 

 

 

Yendi parliamentary primaries Brouhaha

The incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for the Yendi constituency, Farouk Aliu Mahama, was declared the victor despite the absence of the EC’s presiding officer, who was meant to proclaim the winner.

Information gathered indicates that the 3rd National Vice Chairman of the NPP, Alhaji Osman Masawudu, made the declaration in Yendi after consultation with the regional and national executives of the party.

According to him, the EC official had counted 296 votes in favor of the incumbent MP before the counting process was interrupted.

He revealed that the ballot papers in the possession of EC officials were 199 and that the ballots were valid.

 

 

However, Abibata Shani Mahama, the sole contender, has accused her opponent of instigating violence to win the election.

 

Released from Hajia Abibata’s camp

The Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) and Yendi parliamentary candidate hopeful, Hajia Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah, has called on her supporters and members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to exercise restraint while awaiting the party’s resolution of the chaos that erupted during the constituency’s poll.

Chaos erupted on Saturday, January 27, 2024, during the counting process of the parliamentary contest between the incumbent MP, Farouk Aliu Mahama, and the MASLOC boss.

Hajia Abibata, in a statement on Sunday, recounted that “counting of ballot papers in the 2024 Yendi Parliamentary Election was profoundly and fiercely interrupted and halted due to a deliberate attempt by some Electoral Commission officials to manipulate the figures and overturn the verdict in favour of the incumbent MP, Farouk Aliu Mahama.”

She alleged that “Electoral Commission officials whether by miscalculation or by design during the counting of the ballot papers in the full glare of party supporters jumped the count from 69 straight to 80 which was his first attempt to increase the votes of my opponent by 10 more.”

Some executives of the NPP, including the regional chairman, the regional treasurer, the third vice-chairman, and the regional organizer, subsequently converged and declared Farouk Aliu Mahama as the parliamentary candidate elect in the absence of Hajia Abibata.

She, therefore, described the declaration as “illegitimate” and called her supporters and patriotic members of the party to “disregard it.”

She, however, urged “all stakeholders to respect established party structures and refrain from making premature pronouncements until an official decision is reached.”

 

 

Yendi parliamentary primaries Brouhaha

Farouk Aliu Mahama, the current Member of Parliament (MP) for the Yendi constituency, has been congratulated for winning the parliamentary primaries, according to a news statement issued by the constituency executives.

 

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