Yendi MP Assaults Citi News Journalist During Parliamentary Primary

Citi FM/Citi TV’s Northern regional correspondent, Mohammed Aminu M. Alabira, was 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.

 

 

Police arrest one person, on manhunt for others in Yendi election violence

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has arrested one suspect and is on a manhunt for others over the violence that marred the NPP’s primary in Yendi.

“The persons are suspected of damaging electoral materials during the sorting of ballots in the ongoing internal parliamentary elections of the New Patriotic Party. The Police worked together with the Military, in line with our established protocols, to restore law, order, and security in the area. No persons were injured during the disturbances.”

“We wish to assure the public that all persons behind this unfortunate act shall be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the police added in a statement.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the NPP National Vice Chair, Alhaji Masahudu Osman declares Hon. Farouk Aliu Mahama as the Parliamentary Candidate elect for the Yendi Constituency.

 

Northern Regional GJA slams Yendi MP for assaulting Citi News journalist
The Northern Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has strongly condemned the recent attack on Citi News’ Northern Regional Correspondent, Mohammed Aminu M. Alabira during the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary primaries in the Yendi constituency.

Mr. Alabira was attacked by the Member of Parliament for Yendi, Farouk Aliu Mahama and his supporters while he was covering proceedings in Yendi.

The MP and his team assaulted Alabira while he was giving a live update on Citi TV and Citi FM on the violence that erupted during the counting of ballots during the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary primary on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

In a press release, the GJA described the attack as archaic and deserving of condemnation from all well-meaning citizens.

“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 GJA further pledged to work hand in hand with the Ghana Police Service to ensure that justice is served.

“We are by this press statement calling on the Ghana Police Service to, as a matter of urgency, arrest the MP over this barbaric act. The GJA will work assiduously with the Police to ensure that justice is served in this matter.”

“We, the Regional Executive, together with the National Executive, reaffirm our readiness to protect all journalists in the region, especially in the performance of their lawful duties without hindrance.”

Additionally, the GJA cautions politicians and the general public, emphasizing that it will not tolerate any form of abuse directed at its journalists, especially as the political season heats up.

Below is the GJA statement:
 

 

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