Buhari’s win: Age issue against Akufo-Addo 'demolished' – Philip Addison

The campaign issue of old age against New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo can no longer hold following General Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in the Nigeria elections, legal intellect Philip Addison said.

Speaking to Morning Starr on Wednesday, the lead counsel for the NPP during the 2012 election petition said that particular campaign ammunition “has been demolished.”

Buhari, 72, became the first opposition leader to floor an incumbent president in Nigeria in the person of Goodluck Jonathan, 57. He defeated Jonathan by a margin of two million votes.

In Ghana, government communicators and ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) enthusiasts have been flaying the three-time flagbearer of the main opposition NPP Nana Addo of being too old and must retire.

The presidential candidate of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition turned 71 last Sunday and will be Buhari’s age by the 2016 elections. He will be contesting incumbent John Dramani Mahama who turns 58 before the next general polls.

“The issue of age which some have used saying Nana Addo is too old has been demolished,” Addison, who is eyeing the Korle Klottey parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NPP, told host Kafui Dey. “For a younger incumbent [Jonathan] succumbing to an older candidate [Buhari] says a lot.”

Nana Addo himself is on record to have said he is fit to contest Mahama and age cannot be used against him.