Hassan Ayariga is leading the PNC to contest December 2012 general elections.
Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com
By William Yaw Owusu
Accra, Thursday September 6, 2012.
Hassan
Ayariga’s fondness for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) as opposed
to pursuing his own party’s agenda for the impending general elections in
December has ruffled the feathers of the leadership of the People’s National
Convention (PNC).
An
apprehension about a possible sell-out to the NDC by Mr. Ayariga has incensed
PNC Caucus for Strategic Progress, (PCSP) led by its National Coordinator, Atik
Mohammed who are demanding his resignation.
The
suspicion is grounded on the fact that the PNC flag bearer is reportedly
preparing to declare his unflinching support for President John Mahama-led NDC
in the December contest a plan described as a political sellout.
Observers
are wondering why a flag bearer could concentrate more on enhancing his
relationship with a particular party instead of leading his own party to
victory in 2012.
A
party which produced the first northern President in 1979 has lost touch completely
with the electorate while Mr. Ayariga has become an object of suspicion by the
rank and file of the party and even some sections of the public.
Coincidentally,
it was the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) which metamorphosed into
the NDC (with whom Ayariga is flirting) that overthrew the PNC-led government
on 31st December 1981 in a coup d’ etat.
There is no doubt that Mr. Ayariga’s continuous flirtation
with the NDC is widening the wedge between him and his party executives but he
has most of the time returned ‘fire’ to his accusers by justifying his actions.
For instance when then President John Evans Atta Mills
returned from ‘routine’ medical check-up in the United States, he was one among
many NDC ministers and appointees that met the ailing Prof Mills on arrival at
the Kotoka International Airport.
He later justified his presence at the airport by insisting
that he was helping to deepen democracy, an explanation which some of his party
executives took with a pinch of salt.
According
to Atik Mohammed, the PNC Caucus for Strategic Progress has had enough with
their flag bearer and was ready to move “to save the PNC from deterioration”.
“The
PNC-CPSP wishes to indicate its unconditional desire to save the PNC from deterioration
in the hands of its flag bearer whose actions are quickening the party’s
gravitation towards political irrelevance.
“The
flag bearer has been engaged in practices that are not only treasonable to the
party’s survival, but also mocks its followers who have for years held it
together.
“We
demanded, as a measure to curb this destructive journey the Flag bearer had
embarked upon an apology or resignation within two weeks from the Flag bearer,”
he said.
He
said the attempt by the caucus to force the flag bearer out of his position
stalled because of the untimely death of President Mills.
“The
deadline for the ultimatum was supposed to expire on the 26th of
July, 2012 after which the Caucus would take a decisive action. Unfortunately,
former President Mills passed on two days earlier, thus stalling the Caucus’s
activities.
“However,
the funeral and all other matters have ended and the Presidential Candidate has
still not done as demanded. We have therefore decided to resume action this
time with renewed vigor more especially that, he has doubled his efforts at
cheapening the party and expanding the opportunities for its ‘possible sale’ to
the highest bidder,” he added.
Atik
Mohammed said they have petitioned the National Executive Committee of the PNC for
immediate action and failure to honor the petition “will leave us with no
option but to resort to other equally effective remedies.”
“We
wish to inform the NEC that their action on this petition and swiftly so, is
imperative for the salvation of our dear party. And need we remind them that,
our teeming supporters and sympathizers whose hope Ayariga has nibbled away are
watching with curious eyes about what they do or fail to do.”
The
caucus said it was affirming its support for as many PNC parliamentary candidates
as they could afford in order to maximize the party’s representation in the
next parliament.
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