Ebenezer Aggrey-Fynn of the EC declared Hassan Ayariga (middle) winner of the presidential election Saturday.
DR EDWARD Mahama, the man commonly referred to as the ‘PNC Mugabe’ and four-time presidential candidate for the People’s National Convention (PNC), has been given the biggest political shocker in his life after losing the bid to lead the party in the December presidential and parliamentary elections.
Dr Mahama was shown the exit over the weekend at Sunyani during the special delegates’ congress where an unknown Hassan Ayariga defeated him.
The medical doctor cum politician, until Sunday, had been the presidential candidate and leader of the PNC since 1996.
Mr Ayariga, born in 1971, obtained a total of 483 votes to beat Dr Edward Mahama, who polled 426 votes in an election which started about 10:40pm on Saturday and ended about 5:00am on Sunday.
However, the incumbent national chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, retained his position after polling 362 votes, beating three others- Dr Edward Gyader, David Nibi and Thomas Akum-Young- who polled 287, 189 and 66 votes respectively.
Incumbent general secretary Bernard Mornah also retained his position with 437 votes to beat his closest challenger, Atik Mohammed, who polled 404 votes. Henry Haruna Asante, the communications director, who also contested for the general secretary position, managed to secure 71 votes.
Emmanuel Wilson was elected the new national organiser. He polled 452 to beat two others, Alhaji Omar Ahmed Bekure and Abu-Sadiq Kwashie Ebla, who had 239 and 210 votes respectively.
Janet Asana Nabla got the endorsement of the delegates to become the PNC’s new national women’s organiser after securing 490 votes to beat her only contender, Elizabeth Amedekanya, who polled 407 votes.
The son of the national chairman, Abu Ramadan, was elected the national youth organiser. He polled 490 votes, beating Colson Akanbasiam and Abass Nuhu who obtained 277 and 137 votes respectively.
David Apasara was elected the national treasurer with 493 votes as against Peter Teye Batsa’s 411 votes. Hajia Ajara Musah was retained as the party’s first vice chairman.
In all, about 910 delegates attended the congress; this was below the expected 1400 total delegates that were expected to be in attendance.
In his victory speech, the presidential candidate-elect, Hassan Ayariga, thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in them.
He said the election was a victory for all PNC members and a beginning of a new PNC. According to him, his election as the 2012 flagbearer of the party would not only enhance the fortunes of the PNC, but rather inspire the youth of the party to aim high.
Mr. Ayariga promised the party faithful that he and the new leadership would work hard to maximize more votes for the PNC to turn the fortunes of the party around in the December elections.
FROM Fred Tettey Alarti-Amoako, Sunyani
