Nana Akufo-Addo, 2012 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Sunday, thanked executives and sympathizers of the party in the Greater Accra region for their support in the 2012 elections and subsequently, the Presidential Election Petition at the Supreme Court.
He also thanked them for supporting the party's parliamentary candidates during the December polls.
He made these remarks on Sunday September 15 during the first in a series of 'Thank You meetings' which as been put together by the party to thank its core supporters in all ten regions of the country for their various roles during the 2012 electioneering campaign, the election petition hearing and for their support and prayers in general.
Dr Bawumia leads thank you tours
Nana Akufo-Addo, who left the country later Sunday evening, explained that even though he would be away and will not be able to attend similar meetings in the other nine regional capitals, he had delegated Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, his Vice Presidential candidate in the 2012 elections and the Second Petitioner in the Election Petition, to represent him.
He noted that although the NPP disagreed with the Supreme Court verdict, he and the party accepted it in the interest of the nation and peace, explaining that the decision not to seek a review was due to same.
�The other important thing remaining after thanking the Lord is to thank...the over 5 million Ghanaians who voted for us, at least according to the declaration of the EC [Electoral Commission]", he said.
Nana Akufo-Addo stated that since the 2012 Election was over, it was now necessary to look ahead to the next elections and for the party to ensure that it meets all the conditions for victory.
He appealed for unity in the party and urged the party to ensure that as it conducts the various internal elections, the party is not torn apart.
�Let�s remember that at all times, we are brothers in a common cause. So I appeal that in going about our various internal elections, we do so in decorum. The hard contests are not with ourselves. Unity is critical�, he said.
Nana Akufo-Addo stated that the NPP had the best message in the country�s political landscape. He noted that the hard work that needed to be done was getting those who did not vote for the NPP to understand the message of the NPP which includes economic transformation, the access to free, quality education, strengthening the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the message of good governance.
The 2012 NPP Presidential candidate said that the NPP and the tradition which it comes from is not a tradition where dictatorial tendencies can survive because of the vibrant internal democracy that exists in the party.
�This party has never been about the cult of personalities. Since 1992, we have had three Presidential candidates, Prof. Adu � Boahen, John Agyekum Kufuor and myself; each one has been elected by democratic means and whoever would be elected for 2016 will be elected by democratic means. Therefore, those talking about people trying to impose me on the party, don�t know the party. Maybe they are talking about a different party�, he noted.
He urged the party to do everything to ensure that because of the strength of the NPP�s message, the unity of the party and the organization to be put in place, the NPP is able to secure victory in 2016.
�What I would like to say, however, is that, for me, the welfare and progress of the NPP is the important thing on my heart. As I have said, I am going away for some time to reflect and see what way forward our maker has for me. But in my absence I have asked, Dr. Bawumia to accompany the National Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey to the regions to express my gratitude to all in like manner. Forgive me if you don�t hear my voice in your regions but know that my heart will be there�, he added.
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