New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Youth Organiser aspirant Atick Yakubu has explained his approach to political disagreements, saying he avoids personal attacks even when criticising opponents.
Speaking on Joy Prime, Mr Yakubu said although political debates can become heated, he does not believe in insulting public officials because of party differences.
“People, some people, have made it NDC and NPP. I wasn’t brought up that way,” he said.
The NPP youth aspirant admitted that he can respond when attacked but said personal insults are not his preferred approach.
“I’m a person that when you insult me, I insult you back, but I wasn’t brought up that way,” he stated.
He said his comments and public engagements show that he has never directly attacked President John Dramani Mahama with derogatory remarks.
“If you check my diction in this studio and everywhere, there has never been a time that I have directly insulted President Mahama in any way that is derogatory,” he said.
According to him, holding a different political position from someone does not justify disrespecting the office they occupy.
“He’s in a different party. I’m in a different party. I have to give him that respect,” he added.
Mr Yakubu’s comments came while discussing the wider debate around political speech and the conviction of TikToker Camilla Alhassan, whose case has generated discussions about the limits of free expression and criticism of public figures.
