The Founder of the All Peoples Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga, has accused Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), of using the resources of the state for his presidential campaign.

According to him, the vice president’s security and transport during his campaign are all funded by the state, and this gives him more reach compared to other presidential contenders, including himself.

Hassan Ayariga, who made these remarks during an interview on GhanaWeb’s Election Desk programme, added that the use of state resources by candidates of ruling parties gives them an undue advantage over their contenders.

“They are campaigning with state resources, using state funds to campaign so they are able to get to the people the way they want rather than Hassan Ayariga. If Vice President Bawumia moves around, he moves with state vehicles, he moves with state funding, he moves with state security, he moves with state fuel.

“The state is funding his campaign. If Bawumia goes to a chief and greets the elders of the chiefs or groups and gives them money, it’s our state money. If you wear the NPP t-shirt, it’s state money. If you wear an NPP jacket or whatever, it’s funded by the state," he said.

He added, “On the other hand, if you wear my t-shirt, it’s coming from my personal pocket. If you see me driving a long cruise or a pickup or whatever, it’s my property. If I go to a hotel and pay bills, it’s coming from my pocket. If I go to the chief and donate 1 cedi to the chief, it’s coming from my pocket. Will you make this comparison and say it is fair for political parties in power to use state funds to run their campaigns, "he asked?

Hassan Ayariga, therefore, called for the enforcement of the constitution to ensure that if the president or the vice president of the country is a candidate in a presidential election, he or she must step down from office.

Watch the full interview below:





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Meanwhile, catch up on GhanaWeb's interview with Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, Head of the Local Government Service, as he explains the procedures involved in undertaking projects that are originally government projects. He spoke with Etsey Atisu on The Lowdown:





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