NPP aspirants free to campaign – Mac Manu

The Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party, Mr Peter Mac Manu has said Vice President Aliu Mahama is not breaching any rule for campaigning by proxy for the party's presidential slot.

The NPP goes to congress in December to elect a presidential candidate for the 2008 general elections. About 22 candidates both in and out of government soliciting delegates support.

Although Alhaji Mahama has not publicly declared his intention to stand, his campaign posters are said to be out on the streets of Tamale. A leading member of the NPP, Mr Ayisi Boateng is touring the Northern region to canvass support for him.

Mr Boateng's open style of campaigning has raised anxiety among other candidates who said the move is a blatant disregard for President Kufuor's warning to members of his government against open campaigning.

But Mr Manu told Joy News the caution applied only to last year.

“People are free to do pre-nomination campaign and I believe that is exactly what Mr Boateng is doing on behalf of His Excellency the Vice President,” he stated.

“You cannot go into an election without campaigning – one of the effective tools of advertising yourself. You do not do these things overnight when there are about 3000 delegates,” Mr Manu pointed out.

Meanwhile, Mr Yaw Asamoah, a special aide to Alhaji Mahama, told Joy News that the vice president is aware people whom he termed “canvassers” are going round soliciting votes for him but they are doing that on their own volition to test the waters.

“The vice president is aware of several people who are promoting and pursuing his interest as a potential person to lead his party.”