The MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, says the ongoing conflict in Bawku prevented the presidential candidate of the NDC, former president John Mahama, from visiting the town during his regional tour.
He noted that security experts recommended avoiding the conflict zone to protect both the entourage and the residents who intended to join the team.
Speaking on Woezor TV on Saturday, August 3, the MP for the area apologised to the irate youth who went on a rampage subsequently.
“Even yesterday, John Dramani Mahama could not drive through the town. If you noticed, we had to bypass the town because many of the youth wanted to follow him on the tour, and he could not drive through the town with them for fear that anything could happen to anybody.
“The same way my uncle had difficulties in attending the rally and so they demanded that John Dramani Mahama should come to them and yet the security situation was not promising and everybody was growing cold feet. We didn’t want to trigger anything. So when we decided not to pass through the town, you noticed that yesterday they were very bitter and posters of mine and John Mahama were being burnt. It was because of the security situation and the fact that security experts advised us not to take the risk. It is painful and it hurts,” he emphasised.
His comment comes after viral videos of NDC youth in Natinga captured burning some party paraphernalia, including posters of the parliamentary candidate and the presidential candidate.
According to sources, the youth were displeased with the inability of the NDC flagbearer to visit the residence of the Chief of Bawku and other traditional leaders.
Apologising for the error, Mr. Ayariga explained that the entourage also had to deal with time constraints.
“We had done four stops even though we were allocated two and had far exceeded the time allotted to Bawku,” he added.
He stressed that Mr. Mahama will visit the town in the course of his campaign across the country.
“We appreciate the love for the party and desire to host the flagbearer. I wish to assure them that this is just the beginning of the campaign. The flagbearer, H.E. John Dramani Mahama will surely visit Natinga in due course”.