Defeated Presidential hopeful of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Hassan Ayariga, has shockingly announced his breakaway from the party after last Saturday’s congress.
He claims he was unfairly treated at the just ended congress that saw his defeat.
Mr. Ayariga’s decision will indeed come as a surprise to many since there had not been any known disagreement between him and the party, except for a shooting incident on the congress day between his supporters and that of the eventual winner, Dr. Edward Mahama, which was eventually quelled by the police before voting started on Saturday.
Hassan Ayariga was also accused of engaging in vote buying ahead of the congress. He was said to have openly distributed cash, motorcycles and mobile phones to some of the delegates in a bid to be re-elected as the party’s flagbearer.
He was beaten by Dr. Edward Mahama, a 70 year old man who returned to the race after leading the party from 1996 to 2008. The 2012 Presidential Candidate lost with 426 votes as Dr. Edward Mahama polled 492.
Mr. Ayariga dwindled the PNC’s votes in the 2012 elections polling just 0.22% of the total votes.
Speaking to Radio Ghana on Sunday, Mr. Ayariga indicated that he will still contest as a Presidential Candidate in the 2016 general elections despite losing the bid to do so on the PNC’s ticket.
Without explaining into details what may have triggered his rather shocking decision, he simply said, “I am breaking away because the party does not deserve Hassan Ayariga. My name and face will be on the ballot boxes in 2016” and added he would not stand for the PNC any more.
He described his former party as illegal saying, “I am not going to endorse an illegal party anymore. I have tried to build this party. I have tried to build this party from illegality and make it more formidable and more united.” he argued.
Mr. Ayariga revealed he would be holding a press conference “maybe” tomorrow [Monday] where he would elaborate further on his decision to leave the PNC.
“I will be coming out with a press conference, maybe tomorrow [Monday], and you will hear about the PNC and myself. Let it unfold and the Ghanaians will know the impact of Dr. Hassan Ayariga in the PNC and in Ghana politics,” he added.
It is unclear yet whether Mr. Hassan Ayariga, who has been accused of being a mole for the incumbent NDC will contest the 2016 election as an independent candidate or he will form an entirely new party.
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(Selorm) | 
(Nana Kwesi)