The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is a party whose roots traces back to the revolutionary era thereby making them violent from the onset, Former President John Dramani Mahama has said.

Mr Mahama asserted that but for the respect of the rule of law, the NDC would not have remained calm in the face of violent provocation by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Speaking to NDC delegates in Adaklu in the Volta Region, Mr Mahama however sent a stern warning to the NPP indicating that the NDC will match the NPP boot-for-boot in the 2020 elections if the government attempts to intimidate and harass NDC supporters.

His warning comes after the NDC withdrew from the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency by-election on Thursday amidst reports of shooting incident at the at La-Bawaleshie JHS polling station in the constituency.

The NDC has accused the government of being behind the attack, as some well-built men, believed to be National Security operatives, fired into the crowd and injured six persons in the process.

Reacting to these developments while addressing NDC supporters in the Volta Region, Mr Mahama said: “We are not going to joke in 2020, and I’m sounding a warning to the NPP – we are going to match them boot for boot…”

“I want to sound a caution that NDC has a revolutionary root and when it comes to unleashing violence, no one can beat us to that. It is just that we are mindful of this country’s democracy and that is why we must be the first to respect it. That is why we are acting as a party that is docile and respecting the rule of law. But if we believe that the government cannot protect our people and we believe that the government is using its vigilante groups and illegal forces to intimidate and harass and injure our people, then we may have to advise ourselves.”

He added: “We respect the Constitution of this country and the NDC is a democratic party and that’s why we abide by the rules of the Constitution. But the same Constitution says that Ghanaians should resist anybody who attempts to subvert the Constitution. When you go rampaging with forces and intimidating people when they should come out and vote, you are subverting the Constitution. And we have a right to resist you.”

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