Akufo Addo defies UK Doctors' advise to contest

Barring any last minute changes, the twice defeated flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party would defy all odds to file and contest for the third time as flag bearer of the largest opposition party on Monday July 7 at the party's headquarters in Accra. This decision was arrived by the Akufo-Addo for 2016 Campaign Team following a highly powered crunch meeting held at an undisclosed location in Accra late Saturday.

The meeting which was sanctioned by Nana Addo had the likes of his heir apparent, Dr. Bawumia, his bossom friend and advisor, Osafo Marfo, Campaign Financier Ken Ofori-Atta, Operational Strategist, Lord Commey, his security aide, Capt. Korda, his wife who insisted to be in the meeting, Rebecca Akufo- Addo, his 2012 Campaign Manager, Agyarko, his relation and confidant, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko who had to fly down from the United Kingdom to partake in this very important meeting amongst other party bigwigs.

Nana Akufo Addo was scheduled to file his nomination to contest the flagbearership position of the NPP on Friday. The filing of his nomination was called off by the candidate giving reasons of his recent rapid ailing health as advised by his UK doctors. This decision which did not augur well with the team nearly broke-hell-loose and degenerated into an uproar when the 70 year old man hinted of his unstable health status as reason to stay off the very demanding electioneering activities.

One very major confrontation which took centre stage in the discussion was the medical advice from Nana Addo's doctor's restraining him to contest and participate in the two-and-a-half years vigorous electioneering venture which may further worsen his health.

Our source in the meeting hinted that with their Plan B option, though the heir apparent of Nana Addo, Dr. Bawumia seem to have been marketed during the Supreme Court petition by the NPP last year, in the very likely event that he may take over from Nana Addo, he needs to ride on the back of the infectious popularity of Nana Addo to sell himself to the party people in order to fly their factional flag. "Our best bet is to present Nana Addo (even sick) and take care of any future fallouts later" the source said.

After about 3 hours of heated deliberation the team unanimously decided to refuse to obey the advise from Nana's UK doctors and present Nana Addo for the primaries. "As much as we respect his (Nana Addo) personal interest, our (political associates) interest supersedes his and Nana knows that" our source (name withheld) disclosed.

With this decision, Nana Addo is expected to file his nomination by late morning on Monday and would be escorted by bused party faithful who would converge at his Nima residence. At the time of filing this story, the Akufo Addo for President 2016 Campaign Team had planned that to diffuse any "propaganda", Nana Addo may walk from his Nima Residence to the stone-throw party headquarters at Asylum Down (which is about 10 minutes walk from his residence) just to prove a point that Nana Addo is fit.

This happens to be the first time Nana Addo would be filing his nomination late since he started contesting to lead the NPP fanning lots of suspicion and giving credence to his worsening health situation.

The filing of nomination as set by the National Council of the NPP is to be closed tomorrow Monday July 7.