Ghana’s controversial political vigilante group, the infamous Azorka Clan, is losing its original steam as an intimidating influence in the Northern Regions.
As a force, the group is divided over their original loyalty to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The Inquirer sources at the various campuses of the University of Development Studies (UDS) and other tertiary institutions in the Northern Regions say, since the running mate position was offered Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and particularly into the 2016 and 2020 calendar, the sting of the Azorka Clan has been minimising.
National Democratic Congress sources, corroborating The Inquirer’s sources in the tertiary institutions, said the group seem to be developing a soft spot for Dr Bawumia and that they believe is reflected in the toning down of their extremist activities.
Police sources within the regions, particularly Dagbon, have also dropped hints about the group tending to act more as a peacemaker in the turbulent space than persisted in its original dreaded status as vigilante and anti-NPP.
While some of our sources felt aging was a factor, others affirmed that his followers see Bawumia, not only as a better alternative as flagbearer and president, but also look back at the record of the two parties and appreciate the fact the NPP has been a more progressive party and government than the NDC.
At least, that is reflected in the massive numbers in communities around them enjoying the Free SHS Programme, which is an initiative of the NPP.
The Azorka Clan which is headed by Chief Azorka was originally a pro-Jerry Rawlings group that used coercion as a force in winning votes and seats for NDC presidential candidates and MPs in the Savannah communities.
Since 2016, however, it has thawed, having gradually lost prominence as a politically extremist group.
The Inquirer sources in the Savannah and TESCON community up north believe it is only a matter of time before the chief openly comes out to support Dr Bawumia, and begin getting his boys to openly campaign for him.
The NDC, which has held a frightful clutch on the northern regions, has since 2000, been known by the records to be losing presidential votes in the two regions.
It has been the same story in the Volta Region where youth were prepared to brutalise political opponents, though the NDC does not appear to be appreciating the massive support they have had in the two regions in developing the vulnerable constituencies when they come to power.
Bawumia’s entry onto the flagbearer space is seeing quiet defections in the Volta Region and Northern Regions.
That is aside the gains the Vice President and NPP running mate is making within the business community and the Zongo constituencies.
Source: National Inquirer