Nana Akufo-Addo Wins
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor last Saturday unofficially 'declared' Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo winner of the New Patriotic Party's historic elections two-hours before the official announcement by the Electoral Commission (EC).
"By the results, the delegates have decided emphatically that the electioneering campaign and competition is over, the winner is Nana Akufo-Addo", Former President Kufuor told supporters, media practitioners and some of the aspirants who had congregated at Efua Sutherland Children's Park anxiously waiting for the official results from the EC.
President Kufuor who was delivering a solidarity message acknowledged
the keen competition among the five aspirants, stressing "I have never witnessed any intense intra-political competition in my entire 40-year-political life than what went on recently". He said through the emphatic vote of the delegates, the party had survived the pre-election fear of a possible break-away, "now the single purpose of the party is to regain power in Election 2012 to occupy the Jubilee House, seat of Government".
Former President Kufuor commended the other losing aspirants, Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Mr. Isaac Osei and Mr. John Kwame Kodua for their patriotism and healthy spirit of competition.
He called for unity and fortitude in order for the party to regain power in Election 2012 amidst wild jubilation.
Following President Kufuor's announcement of the winner, the National Chairman, Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey invited the losers to the podium for their concessionary speeches.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng described the election as an "exciting contest", and congratulated Nana Akufo-Addo for the resounding victory. Mr. Osei described the party's historic election as the beginning of the process for transforming the party into a modern democratic entity."we are ready to go into battle to regain power in Election 2012."
The precincts of the headquarters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Accra was engulfed with wild jubilation by supporters of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, before the final results were declared by the Electoral Commission (EC) that supervised the historic election of a flagbearer for the Party.
The jubilation continued at the Efua Sutherland Children's Park where the final results would be declared.
Madam Grace Omaboe, aka Maame Dokono, a popular actress, wearing a white apparel with NPP paraphernalia was among those singing and praising God for Nana Akufo-Addo's victory.
Some supporters of the party were tooting their horns when they approached the party's headquarters.
Mr Mustapha Hamid, Spokesperson for Nana Akufo-Addo's Campaign Team, speaking to the media said, "even though they were aware Nana Akufo-Addo would win, we are surprised at the margin of the other aspirants".
He said Nana Akufo-Addo worked hard and managed to put his message across to the delegates during his campaign across the country, and "we are not surprised at the turn of events".