Stop criticising me - Ayariga tells Journalists

The Leader and Founder of All People’s Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga has cautioned media practitioners in the country to desist from criticising him.

According to him, APC is a serious political party and should be treated as such, warning Journalists to decouple his persona from the party in their write-ups.

Ayariga entreated Journalists to concentrate their energies on people who have ideas to rule the nation.

"We are a serious political party within one month we have satisfied all the requirements of Electoral Commission (EC). It has never happened in this country before. We are not just talking, we are working, it’s time some of you Journalists stopped the criticisms and look at the way forward of Hassan Ayariga and APC," he fumed.

Touted as a joker, he asserted that people accord him respect wherever he goes and that he does not give a hoot about the perception people have about him.

"Let people say whatever they want to say, people call Nana Akuffo Addo and President Mahama names, nobody ask them any questions, my brother lets respect the rule of law and the leaders who want to lead us. Even God himself there are people who don’t believe in him, Jesus himself was crucified by his own people. So I am not the first person for people to have that perception about me. Everybody give me lots of respect everywhere I find myself, people love me, and people are happy to have Ayariga on board," he fumed.

The Presidential hopeful intimated that he has been a serious person all his life, saying people misconstrue his demeanour and judgement.

"People just don’t understand the concept. The concept here is that when you joke with people it does not mean you are not a serious political leader, let me tell you about myself, age 16 I bought my first car, age 22 built my own house, age 24 I had my own 1 million dollars, age 40 I became a presidential candidate, age 43 I formed my own party, does this show am not a serious person," he asked.

Asked on Ultimate breakfast show hosted by Prince Minkah if he is a joker, he explained that wearing a straight face and being serious does not win votes.

‘Can a joker become a presidential candidate? Can a joke achieve life and make himself comfortable and become the youngest presidential candidate, do we joke, should we be fighting each other when we are contesting elections. Should we be seen as enemies of the state? When we are supposed to be friends to each other, should we be humorous or dictators,’

"Should we open our doors to our brothers and sisters who want to lead and make them feel comfortable until we close our doors and look angry, look serious, straight and arrogant that nobody can approach us? You called me I picked the phone, am talking to you, how many presidential candidates can do this?. I can begin to look arrogant, not smile with straight face and that does not win votes. It’s very easy to look so serious and tell lies than to be jokeful and tell people the truth. This perception doesn’t hang on my neck, I don’t feel it," he said.