Mahama paid Nalerigu nursing students to chant 'we are sorry'

The videos and photos in which some students of the Nalerigu Nursing and Midwifery Training College are seen chanting “JM we’re are sorry” were apparently staged, MyNewsGh.com reports.

The students stormed the rally grounds at Nalerigu on Day two of former President John Dramani Mahama’s ‘Thank You Tour’ of the Northeast region, clad in their school uniforms and NDC paraphernalia to “beg” the NDC flagbearer to come back to power.

The purpose of the tour was to “interact with the Chiefs, opinion leaders, community members and executives of the NDC in the various constituencies”, the JM campaign has said.

But the students, numbering about a hundred stormed the rally grounds holding placards that read, “JM we're sorry, nurses need you back” and “Ghana Economy is in coma”, knelt before the former president amidst wailing.

“Thank you, thank you, students, of the Nursing & Midwifery Training College in Nalerigu in the North East Region”, Mr Mahama posted on his official Facebook account to appreciate the gesture of the students.

But it has turned out that the whole episode was staged for “little gifts”.

Mynewsgh.com has intercepted a communication from the NAC 10 C Class WhatsApp platform, directing the participating students to go for their little gifts.

“Pls, ladies and gentlemen if u were at the ground (school junction) at the time when JM was coming n ur name was written pls see the TEIN president for yur little gift. Thank you. By TEIN Gen. Secretary, Short B”, the note read.

The TEIN General Secretary, Shaibu popularly known as ‘Short B’ has confirmed to Mynewsgh.com in a telephone conversation that he is a student of the Nalerigu Nursing and Midwifery Training College and holds that position.

The videos and photos which have gone viral on social media have courted mixed reactions.

On Mr Mahama’s official Facebook page, opinions have been divided as followers are trading jabs and praises.

“Thank God you are with us today, to witness first hand, how your good works are yearning for your come back. Indeed, positively, posterity is judging your good works”, Philip Agbeko Doe commented.

But in a sharp contrast, Alhaji Tahiru-Terror said, “how do you feel looking into the eyes of this vulnerable kids? You took away their allowance and have the guts to stand before them?

I’m lost of words!”