True to his vow, Dr Hassan Ayariga, the founder and leader of the All Peoples Congress (APC), is on his way to become a presidential candidate in the 2016 elections.
Following his defeat at the hands of Dr Edward Mahama at the People’s National Convention (PNC) national delegates congress in Wa in December last year, Dr Ayariga vowed to his supporters that his name would be among the presidential candidates in the 2016 elections.
“I am done with the PNC,’’ he told the Daily Graphic and indicated that “you will see me contest as presidential candidate in the 2016 general election.
Main challenger
The founder of the APC and one Emmanuel Bartels were the two flag-bearer aspirants to have picked forms to contest the flag-bearer slot of the APC.
However, Dr Ayariga was the only candidate to have filed his nomination papers at the close of filing of nominations at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2016.
According to the General Secretary of the APC, Mr Razak Opoku, his main challenger, Mr Bartels, failed to file his nomination forms as at the close of nomination at 6 p.m. last Tuesday.
Mr Ayariga is, therefore, the only candidate to have filed his nomination accompanied by a cheque for GH¢95,000 as filing fees, he stated.
Filing fees
The General Secretary said presidential hopefuls paid GH¢5,000 for picking of forms and GH¢95,000 for the filing of the nomination papers.
He stressed that the APC was not engaged in cosmetic democracy and that the party was governed by rules and regulations. “Even if Dr Ayariga had failed to file before 6 p.m. when nominations closed last Monday, he would have been disqualified and the APC would not field any presidential candidate in the 2016 election,’’ Mr Opoku stressed.
Track record
Dr Ayariga, the 2012 presidential candidate of the PNC, announced his resignation from the party immediately after the national delegates congress in Wa on December 12, 2015.
He polled 426 votes against long-time rival Dr Edward Mahama, a renowned gynaecologis cum politician, who polled 492 votes to pay back Ayariga, who upstaged the four-time flag bearer of the PNC in the 2012 national congress of the party in Sunyani.
Ayaricough
During his eventful leadership as flag bearer, Dr Ayariga had the opportunity to take part in the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) presidential debate where he earned the nickname ‘’Ayaricough’’ because of his unending dry coughing which distracted attention at the presidential debate and became a household word.
Dr Ayariga has vowed to improve his 2012 record this time around in 2016 when his name appears on the ballot box as presidential candidate of the APC, his brainchild.
2012 results
In the 2012 general election, Dr Ayariga polled 24,617 votes out of a total turnout of 14,158,890 voters to place fifth out of eight presidential candidates.
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