Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga has apologized to youth of Natinga particularly supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for his inability to ensure flagbearer of the party, John Dramani Mahama made a stop there during his tour of the constituency.
Some supporters of the NDC at Natinga are unhappy with John Mahama for not making a stop by in the area, where one of the party’s founding members hailed from.
In videos making rounds, the supporters are seen burning party’s paraphernalia and accusing the party of discrimination and marginalization against them.
They argue that the failure of the flagbearer to visit the area, home to one of the people, who played crucial role in the foundation of the party, smacks of betrayal.
But in a statement, Mahama Ayariga took responsibility and apologized for not ensuring that the flag-bearer visited there yesterday.
While acknowledging their grievances as legitimate, the Bawku Central MP attributed the omission to time constraints. He explained that the flag-bearer had far exceeded the allotted time for his campaign in the Bawku Central and thus, could not stretch the limited time any further for additional stop by.
“I appreciate the legitimate concerns of the youth and would like to apologize to them for this unfortunate incident which was occasioned by time constraints. We had done four stops even though we were allocated two and had far exceeded the time allotted to Bawku,” he said in the statement dated August 4.
Mr. Ayariga expressed appreciation for the people of Natinga’s support for the NDC and desire to host the flagbearer, assuring them that Mr. Mahama will visit there in due course.
“We appreciate their love for the party and desire to host the flag-bearer. I wish to assure them that this is just the beginning of the campaign. The flag-bearer, H.E. John Dramani Mahama will surely visit Natinga in due course.”
Below is the full statement by Mahama Ayariga
I have seen a video of some supporters of the NDC in Natinga angrily burning NDC paraphernalia.
The anger of the youth stems from my inability to ensure that the flag-bearer, stopped at grandfather Gumah’s residence in Natinga as part of his campaign in the Bawku Central Constituency.
I appreciate the legitimate concerns of the youth and would like to apologize to them for this unfortunate incident which was occasioned by time constraints. We had done four stops even though we were allocated two and had far exceeded the time allotted to Bawku.
We appreciate their love for the party and desire to host the flag-bearer. I wish to assure them that this is just the beginning of the campaign. The flag-bearer, H.E. John Dramani Mahama will surely visit Natinga in due course.
Hon. Mahama Ayariga
MP & NDC PC for Bawku Central
4th August 2024
