The National Youth Organizer of the largest opposition NPP, Sammy Awuku has said the ruling NDC party boycotted this year’s Presidential debate simply because they don’t have a “certain Ayariga” to distract NPP Flagbearer Nana Akufo Addo’s flow during the event.
The then flag bearer of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Hassan Ayariga, made a mess of himself at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) presidential debate as he was struck with uncontrollable bouts of coughs, which political watchers believed were not genuine.
Mr. Ayariga’s cough during the second edition of the IEA debate held for the four presidential candidates with representation in Parliament at the Banquet Hall, State House in 2012 were mostly disruptive and distracted the flow of proceedings during the debate.
Strangely, Mr. Ayariga’s explosive coughs only got the better of him when the presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, took his turn to respond to questions from the moderators of the debate, raising questions about the genuineness of his alleged sickness.
His conduct got people speculating about the curious coincidence of Mr. Ayariga’s disquiet, mostly when it became clear that whenever he had the chance, he took on the NPP flagbearer.
The NDC in a statement signed by its General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketiah on Tuesday June 21, 2016 said the party at its Functional Executive Committee (FEC) “decided not to participate in any debate to be organized by theas far as it is related to the 2016 General Election.
All Party Structures (especially the Youth and Women’s wings), are to take note and comply accordingly, he added.
But NPP’s Sammy Awuku in an interview with Accra based Neat FM Wednesday stated that the NDC’s action amounted to chickening out of the contest.
“This time around the NDC has no Ayariga to distract and make Nana Akufo Addo uncomfortable as happened in the 2012 event. The one who would have done this job for them during this year’s event is not qualified and as a result not taking part in the debate; that is a big blow to the NDC.
“During last four year’s event Hassan Ayariga faked to have an uncontrollable cough and became a nuisance as he coughed only when Nana Akufo Addo was talking making it difficult for the audience to hear him. IEA could not do anything about Ayariga’s conduct, but this year God being so good he has made it impossible for Ayariga to be part of this contest and this has become a headache for the NDC. Just look at the PNC Flagbearer Dr Edward Mahama even though I don’t wish the party success in this year’s election, the distinguished medical doctor has brought some level of respect back to the PNC frontline.”
