Akufo-Addo is incapable of inciting violence - Hassan Ayariga

The 2012 presidential candidate of the People's National Convention (PNC), Hassan Ayariga, says the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will not incite people to violence if he does not win the court case.

"He is a gentleman; I don’t see Nana inciting anybody to wage war" he stressed.

Hassan Ayariga disclosed this on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday after he together with other failed presidential candidates met Akufo-Addo, first petitioner in the Presidential Election Petition at his residence in Accra.

This 'confession' may come as a surprise to some NPP supporters who accused Hassan Ayariga of unnecessarily distracting their candidate [Akufo-Addo] with coughs at the Institute of Economic Affair’s [IEA] Presidential debate prior to the December 7 general elections.

But the PNC leader has proven his critics wrong by openly expressing his admiration for Nana Addo’s leadership style.

"I believe in him [Nana];I believe in his people; I believe in his leadership" he stated.

Mr. Ayariga said even though there appears to be seeming tension between himself and Nana Addo after the incident at IEA, when he met Nana Addo "he was very happy to see me and welcomed me in front of everybody".

To set records straight on his infamous Ayaricough incident, he stated unequivocally that it was not intended to distract Akufo-Addo.

"I will appeal to Ghanaians not to see the cough as deliberate. A day before I was complaining that I was sick so I will never do that against Nana Akufo-Addo," he said.

Hassan Ayariga said his only problem is with NPP foot soldiers at the grassroots and called on Nana Addo "to sensitize his supporters to accept the final verdict".