‘Akufo-Addo is NPP’s surest bet in 2016’

A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rebuffed attempts to unceremoniously retire politicians because of their age saying it has no historical background in African politics.

Asamoah Gyamfi asked those using Nana Akufo-Addo’s age to run him down in his political ambition to come again; pointing out that Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara is 74 years while the Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is approaching 80 years but are still governing their respective countries.

Speaking on Okay fm he said that Sir John gave a cogent response to Ben Ephson, Dr. Sekou Nkrumah and Kwesi Amakye who are trying hard to end the political career of Nana Akufo-Addo because of his age.

It is reported that the General Secretary of NPP, Sir John in response to those using Nana Akufo-Addo’s age against him, said that he (Nana Addo) will contest the 2016 election even if he is in a wheel chair.

Asamoah Gyamfi said “this response means those who are nosing in the affairs of the NPP should be mindful of the fact that the decision to choose the flagbearer for the party does not lie with them”.

Justifying why the NPP needs to retain Nana Addo in 2016, the NPP communicator indicated that former President Kufuor had 60% supports from the party to contest for the third time because he was well known to the grassroots and the entire country.

“…Nana Akufo-Addo has risen above those who have similar ambition to contest for the presidential slot of the NPP…Ghanaians have some level of sympathy for a candidate who has tried for several times.

“Apart from sickness or death, if he comes again, he is much younger than President Ouattara and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and so age does not play any role here,” he opined.

To him, even “if Alan Kyerematen or Dr. Apraku have the desire to contest the 2016 presidential slot or not, I want them to know that Nana Akufo-Addo is ahead of them; unless Nana Addo says he will not contest the 2016 election”.