Flashback: I’m taking a time out from politics – Akufo-Addo

Following the Supreme Court's verdict that confirmed John Dramani Mahama as the “validly elected” president of Ghana in the 2012 election, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the then flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party announced a break from active politics.

“I am sure by now many people are wondering what I envisage for my political future. I intend to take sometime time out and get some rest, reflect and then announce whatever decision I come to,” said Nana Akufo-Addo.

Despite his earlier decision, Mr. Akufo-Addo was in 2016 appointed as the flagbearer of the NPP in that year's presidential elections. His comeback witnessed a historical victory, he won the election by 53.72% with the sitting president, John Mahama, accumulating 44.53% of total votes cast.

Read the full story originally published on August 29, 2013 on GhanaWeb

Nana Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2012 presidential election has admitted defeat after Ghana’s Supreme Court on Thursday confirmed President John Dramani Mahama as the validly elected President of Ghana.

Addressing party faithful at his residence in Accra shortly after the court’s ruling, Akufo-Addo said: “I have personally called to congratulate President John Mahama as the fourth elected president of the fourth republic.”

He added: “While I disagree with the court’s decision I accept it. I accept that what the court says bring finality to the election dispute. We shall not be asking for a review of the verdict so we can all move on in the interest of our nation. … I am saddened by the verdict and I know most of our supporters are saddened too.”

He, therefore, appealed to party followers to accept the verdict and take pride in the party’s decision to challenge the election declaration at the Supreme Court.

Nana Akufo-Addo added: “I am sure by now many people are wondering what I envisage for my political future. I intend to take sometime time out and get some rest, reflect and then announce whatever decision I come to”.

The nine-member panel presided over by Justice William Atuguba refused to annul the over four million votes which the petitioners said were added to President John Mahama’s to make him win the 2012 elections.

The petitioners who filed the petition challenging the results of the 2012 presidential elections were seeking to have the votes annulled and have subsequently declared the presidential candidate of the 2012 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as the winner of the December 2012 elections.

RadioXYZ FM: Akufo-Addo: 'I disagree with SC’s verdict but I accept'

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says he “disagrees” with the Supreme Court’s verdict on the election petition case but “will not ask for a review”.

“I disagree with the court’s decision but I accept it and I ask all our supporters to accept the verdict”, the 2012 Presidential candidate of the main opposition New Patriotic Party and first petitioner in the case told journalists at the Supreme Court minutes after the verdict was pronounced.

He said: “I accept the decision but I’m saddened and disappointed by the verdict and I know many of our supporters are saddened too”.Read more...

RadioXYZ FM: Breaking News: NPP petition thrown out!

Ghana’s Supreme Court on Thursday August 29, 2013 upheld John Mahama’s presidency as valid.

The nine-member panel of Justices gave Mr. Mahama a clean ‘gavel of health’ by a majority decision.

The Bench’s final verdict means Mr. Mahama can see through his full four-year term as President.Read more...

Citi FM: Mahama was “validly elected” - Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has confirmed President John Dramani Mahama as the “validly elected” president of Ghana and winner of the 2012 presidential election.

The nine-member panel presided over by Justice William Atuguba refused to annul the over four million votes which the petitioners said were added to President John Mahama’s to make him win the 2012 elections. Read more...

Reuters: Ghana's SC rejects opposition challenge to 2012 vote

Ghana's Supreme Court on Thursday rejected an opposition challenge to President John Mahama's victory in December's presidential election, ending months of legal wrangling in the oil- and cocoa-exporting African nation.

Mahama won December's vote with 50.7 percent of the ballot but the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) had alleged fraud ranging from inflated tallies to the participation of unregistered voters. Read more...

BBC: Ghana Supreme Court upholds John Mahama's win

Ghana's Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by the opposition to annul President John Mahama's narrow victory in last year's disputed election.

The NPP had alleged that Mr Mahama won the election fraudulently, a charge his NDC party denied.

However, the court ruled that he had been "validly elected" after beating the NPP's Nana Akufo-Addo by 50.7% to 47.7% in the December 2012 election.