TAMALE is a political hotbed. And the growing phenomenon that has slowly crept into the politics of the metropolis is the organisation of political parties to usher in popular political figures, particularly those in the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Such occasions generate a lot of excitement and frenzy. That is why it is not surprising that some people sacrifice all their time, resources and their entire life for a cause that they believe in so much - politics.
The overzealous supporters are often clad in their respective party paraphernalia. They ride motorbikes and bicycles with careless abandon, while others overload their vehicles with enthusiastic followers, amidst drumming, dancing and shouting of party songs.
Many others, including the physically disabled, also walk about in excitement and jubilation. They sing, dance and make merry from morning till late into the night and even after the arrival of their ‘‘heroes.’’
From North, South, East and West, the supporters come in their thousands. They usually converge at Datoyili, about three kilometres from Tamale township on the Tamale-Kumasi road to usher in their leaders.
During those times, the celebrants throw caution to the wind and engage in various antics, albeit dangerously, on their bikes and cars to the consternation of onlookers who usually line up on the sides of the roads to catch a glimpse of the personalities involved.
While the supporters often come out in their numbers, as an indication of their popularity over their opponents in the metropolis, some rather come out for sheer mischief, as they cast insinuations and engage in various acts of provocation at their political rivals.
‘‘My brother, I wonder what the parties offer to their supporters to endanger their lives as they do; the people must be told that politics is not done that way, because you have to live to be able to vote your party into party,’’ a 57-year-old civil servant, Abraham Ottoo, lamented.
Indeed, the commitment, loyalty and passion with which most party faithful in the area attach to their support for their favourite parties could be attributed to the prevailing Dagbon chieftaincy divide.
Even though the difference in the support of the two main political parties has existed over the years, it has become more entrenched after the renewed outbreak of the Dagbon chieftaincy dispute in March 2002 at Yendi.
It is an open secret that some followers of the two Royal Gates in the divide; Abudu and Andani, have pitched camps with parties that they think would favour them to achieve their cause in the protracted dispute.
And the fact that Tamale is a stronghold of the NDC is not in doubt, following the party’s performance in the last general election in the area. Apart from winning the three parliamentary seats in the metropolis, the party also won the presidential ballot by wide margins.
It is for these reasons that anytime the Founder of the NDC, Jerry John Rawlings, or the presidential candidate or the running mate of the party is coming to Tamale, there are some casualties.
The last time Mr Rawlings came for campaigns in the metropolis in April 2006, a motor rider, one Ussif, lost his life when he crushed his bike into a moving vehicle, while eight others sustained various degrees of injuries. This was during the Tamale Central bye-election, where the incumbent Member of Parliament, Mr Inusah Fuseini, overwhelmingly beat Professor Wayo Seini.
And in the latest incident which occurred on May 31, one Suweibatu, 19, who was part of over 60 supporters in a KIA vehicle, also lost her life when the truck was involved in an accident.
Other victims sustained fractures and bruises on different parts of their bodies. One other female victim is also reported to have had her right leg amputated.
The victims were part of the ecstatic supporters who were on their way to welcome the Vice-Presidential candidate of the party, Mr John Dramani Mahama, to the metropolis to begin his visit to the Northern Region.
Upon learning of the sad news, however, Mr Mahama rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital to wish the victims well. He later paid a call on the bereaved family to express his condolences.
In a goodwill gesture, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, also visited the victims at the hospital, where he presented some food items and cash to them. He expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and wished those still on admission a speedy recovery.
The minister equally expressed concern over the development and entreated supporters of the various political parties to always exercise maximum restraint during visits by their party leadership into the region.
In a related development, members of the Northern Regional Road Safety Commission (NRSC) has also prepared a document that spells out guidelines on how to safely go about political activities, devoid of accidents during the run-up to this year’s general election.
The commission presented copies of the Road Safety Code of Conduct for political campaigns to Mr John Mahama in Tamale.
According to the Northern Regional Road Safety Co-ordinator, Mr Sumani Mbo, the document would be presented to all political parties to educate their respective supporters.
In another measure to curtail such unfortunate incidents from occurring in future, the NDC has taken a decision not to announce the arrival of its flag bearer, running mate, founder or any high profile member of the party into the metropolis.
According to the Youth Organiser of the party, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, this step was aimed at stemming the high spate of accidents and its attendant injuries on the roads suffered by same supporters of the party on such carnival.
He said in case of any forthcoming rally or meeting, the people would only be made aware after the arrival of such high profile personalities into the city.
Human life is precious. It, therefore, behoves all parties to ensure that they protect the lives of their followers at all times; after all, politics is about numbers.
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