Soldiers Sack Ayariga

DAILY GUIDE has gathered that the presidential candidate for the People�s National Convention (PNC), Hassan Ayariga was prevented from entering the Bawku Naba�s palace in the Bawku Municipality by some soldiers on duty over the weekend. Hassan Ayariga, who is a native of the area, travelled to Bawku on Saturday to register in the biometric voters� registration and as custom demands he planned to pay a courtesy call on the Bawku Naba, Zug-Raan Bawku Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II at his palace. The PNC presidential candidate, who was gracefully escorted by a large number of people on motor king tricycles, was unfortunately stopped by some soldiers at the Bawku Naba�s palace. They subsequently matched him together with members of his team out of the chief�s compound, after the two sides angrily exchanged some unpleasant words. A source told DAILY GUIDE that the soldiers were provoked by the obnoxious noise made by the engines and horns of the motor king tricycles. Usually Bawku Naba informs the security personnel at his palace of people who would visit him, stressing that when he is travelling he tells them to accord visitors the same respect and protection they would accord him, the source noted. The Naba Asigri Abugraugou Azoka attended the GBC-URA Radio�s 25th Anniversary as the traditional guest. According to DAILY GUIDE source, the soldiers compelled some persons, who took pictures at the entrance, to delete them. Mr. Ayariga postponed his visit to the chief�s palace more than once so the message about his coming to the chief on Saturday was not taken seriously and that could confirm that the soldiers at the palace were not informed of Mr. Ayariga�s visit. After the incident, Mr. Ayariga and his team drove through town gracefully and later called on the leadership of the Mamprusis in Bawku. DAILY GUIDE could not reach Mr. Ayariga to comment on the matter as at the time of filing this report as his phone was switched off. However, the source was of the view that the unfortunate incident would not affect the chances of the party in Bawku. Hassan Ayariga has enjoyed the support of the people since he was elected to lead the party to the December presidential election. �He can always call on the Chief, despite what happened at the palace,� the source added. Hassan Ayariga, a 40-year-old business entrepreneur, was elected at PNC delegates� congress in Sunyani. Prior to the Sunyani Congress, some delegates of the party praised Hassan Ayariga for mobilizing the youth. In April 2011, as part of his campaign tour of the Upper East region, the PNC flagbearer declared that he represented the youth of the country, as well as the masses, who have been made to suffer under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP). This statement was greeted with a rousing applause by the youth who had gathered at the PNC�s Upper East regional Office in Bolgatanga.