Dr Mahama, Ayariga step up campaign to win PNC flag-bearer slot

With about three weeks to the national delegates’ conference of the People’s National Convention (PNC) in Wa, two former presidential candidates have intensified their campaigns to win the mandate to lead the party during the 2016 general election.

The two, Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama, who is seeking to lead the party for the fourth time, and the 2012 presidential candidate, Mr Hassan Ayariga, did not mince words about their eagerness to have the mandate once more when they addressed delegates at the Brong Ahafo Regional Congress of the party in Sunyani last Sunday.

“If I am here again, it is because I love the PNC. I have heeded the call by the rank and file and I am here to provide leadership which is now missing,” Dr Mahama told the enthusiastic delegates.

For his part, Mr Ayariga called for unity in the party and explained that it was the surest way to ensure the party’s victory in 2016.

“We need commitment, loyalty and respect for the structures of the party to make us strong in order to defeat other political parties,” he declared.

Not hungry for power

Dr Mahama said he was not hungry for power but rather could not turn his back on the party he loved.

“I want you to give me 99 per cent of your votes in Wa to show that the party really needs me to provide quality leadership for victory in 2016,” he said.

Dr Mahama said he was convinced that should the PNC give him the mandate, “there will be a new dawn for the party in 2016”.

Antidote to ‘Dumsor’

Dr Mahama asked Ghanaians to look to the PNC for the solution to the country’s perennial electricity problem.

“I have an antidote to the country’s dumsor challenges”, he stated, and called on Ghanaians to have trust in the PNC in 2016 since they had already tested both the NDC and the NPP.

Mr Hassan Ayariga

According to Mr Ayariga, the party could not run without laid-down structures, logistics and offices in the constituencies.

He said even though he was not known in 2012, he managed to win the flag-bearer slot and expressed the hope that members of the party would give him another chance during the Wa national conference.

He explained that he had been able to make the party attractive to the youth, saying that “people are now willing to go with us without looking back at their shoulders.”

On the unity of the Nkrumaist parties, Mr Ayariga said there was the need for each party to work on its internal problems before thinking about going into unity with other Nkrumaist parties.

“We need to unite our houses before thinking of coming together,” he stated.

Chairmanship slot

The party’s General Secretary, Mr Bernard Mornah, who is now campaigning to become the national chairman, and a fellow contestant, Mr David Apasera, were also present at the regional conference to canvass for the support of the delegates.

Mr Mornah told the delegates that he did not need any introduction since he had always been in the trenches working with members for the betterment of the party.

Mr Apasera, on the other hand, told the delegates, “I am a tried and tested general who has proved over the years to be a true leader of the PNC.”

Regional election

In a keenly contested election, the current Deputy Regional Chairman, Mr Sampson Alanyina Sampana, defeated the incumbent chairman, Mr Davis Bonney, by 75 votes to 34, while the Vice Chairman, Alhaji Haruna Abdulai; the Regional Secretary, George Inusah, and his deputy, Mahmood Musah, were returned unopposed.

Madam Abiba Kotei defeated Cynthia Kotei, by 61 votes to 51 to become the regional women’s organiser while Mr Collins Kyereh beat Mr David Amoah by 67 votes to 44 to become the regional treasurer of the party.