Political violence drove me out of Odododiodioo – Nii Lante Vanderpuye

National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has revealed that persistent political violence was a key factor in his decision not to contest election in the Odododiodioo constituency.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Thursday, July 17, the former Member of Parliament for Odododiodioo disclosed that his 12-year tenure in Parliament was marked by recurring violence and intimidation, adding that he could no longer bear seeing people being threatened or harmed simply for engaging in the electoral process.

“I have been a victim of political violence, and I will never condone political violence in any way. My 12 years as a Member of Parliament was not easy. Political violence was one of the reasons why I decided not to contest in elections in Odododiodioo again. I couldn’t stand it when people are killed, and lives are destroyed because of elections.”

Vanderpuye’s comments come in the wake of renewed concerns about electoral violence following chaotic scenes during the Ablekuma North constituency rerun on Friday, July 11. The by-election was disrupted when a group of unidentified macho men stormed the St. Peter’s polling station, triggering panic and interrupting the voting process.

Channel One News’s Jude Duncan reported that the Former Fisheries Minister Mavis Hawa Koomson was also attacked during the incident.

Eyewitnesses recounted that the attackers arrived in a well-coordinated manner, creating fear among voters and electoral officials.

The violence at Ablekuma North has revived national debate over political vigilantism and the safety of Ghana’s electoral process. Vanderpuye, reflecting on his personal experiences, called for a collective rejection of violence in politics.

Source: channelonenewsonline