Some aggrieved members of the New Patriotic Party in Tamale, Monday morning, August 7, stage a mammoth demonstration against the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority for the shutting down of LillyGold Energy Resources Limited, an Oil Marketing Company (OMC) purportedly owned by the Northern Regional Chairman of the party.
The group described the closing down of the petrol station as an attempt by the NPA Boss to ridicule and shame the Regional Chairman of the party.
A taskforce team from the NPA last week shutdown two outlets of the Oil Marketing Company located at Lamashegu around the Industrial area and Kanvili on the Nanton highway after its license was revoked among 30 companies in October 2022.
However, the timely intervention of the Regional Chairman, Mohammed Adam Baantima Samba, foiled the move of the disgruntled group who massed up at the Tamale Jubilee Park to march through the major streets in the metropolis.
The Chairman urged the youth to restrain from acts that would put the image of the Akufo-Addo led NPP government into disrepute.
Notwithstanding the swift intervention, the NPP Northern Regional Youth Organizer popularly known as Ghana Alhassan, who led the protesters including Regional and Constituency Executives of the party in an interview said the actions was not sanctioned by the Chairman.
He added the group was out to defend the image of the Chairman and interest of the New Patriotic Party in the region.
“Many of you who listened to my radio program last night heard me calling for this demonstration. I was doing that in the interest of the party and to defend the image of our Regional Chairman, I didn’t hear anything from him, he didn’t direct me to it. Just a few minutes ago that, I had a call from him and he advised me and said leadership has taken over the issue” he stated.
The Youth Organizer commended the youth for turning out in their numbers to solidarize with the Chairman despite the short notice.
Meanwhile, Dean of NPP constituency Chairmen in the 18 constituencies in the Northern Region, Alhaji Gazale said the decision to call off the protest was as a result of respect for the Regional Chairman and higher authority in the party.
He also affirmed the unwavering support and solidarity for Chairman Baantima Samba and warned any attempt to denigrate him by any appointee will not be tolerated in the region.