The Northern Regional Vice Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Abdul Hamid popularly known as Alhaji Gbewaa has been suspended with immediate effect for three months for allegedly assaulting the regional treasurer of the party, Hajia Shamima Yakubu, a loyalist of the NDC National Chairman, Aseidu Nketiah.
The decision was taken following a meeting of the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the NDC in Accra on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
The General Secretary of the NDC, Mr. Fiifi Fiave Kwetey, made the disclosure in a statement issued today Wednesday after deliberations of the FEC.
Alhaji Gbewaa is reported to have attacked Hajia Shamima Yakubu at the party’s regional secretariat last Saturday, January 13, during a regional executive meeting to deliberate on the party’s campaign strategies ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The regional treasurer sustained injuries and her face was disfigured in the process of the brawl.
“At its meeting on the 16th of January 2024, to which your Regional Chairman and Regional Secretary were invited, the Functional Executive Committee (FEC), was briefed about your assault on the Northern Regional Treasurer” he said.
In accordance with Article 48(1), 48(6) and 48(8) of the party’s constitution, the Chief Scribe added the suspension has been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for adjudication.
“You are therefore by this letter, to take note, and notice is hereby given that your membership of the NDC is suspended pending the hearing and final determination of the matter” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, the victim earlier made a formal complaint at the Northern Regional police Command in Tamale and the Vice Chairman was subsequently arrested to assist police investigations.
Some disgruntled NDC youth Tuesday morning in protest of his arrest and detention locked up the regional office and other constituency offices and demanded his immediate release. They also threatened to disrupt any party activity in the region until the Vice Chairman was released from police custody.
He was however arraigned before the Tamale High court on Tuesday where he was granted bail to reappear in two weeks.
Days prior to the scuffle, a similar melee broke out between the NDC’s National Vice Chairman, Chief Sofo Awudu Azoka and a member of the party called, Tia, during a stakeholder meeting at the Global Dream hotel in Tamale to foster unity among the rank and file of the party in the northern region.
