I standout - Akuffo-Addo

Hohoe, Oct 12, GNA - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo one of the candidates seeking to lead the New Patriotic Party in the 2008 Presidential elections on Wednesday asserted that he stands out among his rivals as the candidate that sends chills down the spine of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

"This is because of my pedigree to unite, bravery to fight injustice and a man-of-himself" and of vast political experience both at home and abroad.

Nana Akufo-Addo made the assertion at a well-patronized interaction with elders of the party, Constituency Executives, Polling Station Chairmen and opinion leaders of the Hohoe-North, Hohoe-South and North Dayi Constituencies.

He said the NPP would surely make political history in Ghana as the first political tradition to have handed over power to itself if only he was given the baton to lead the party in the 2008 Presidential race. Nana Akuffo Addo therefore urged party activists to be steadfast, resolute and circumspect during events leading to the party's delegates' congress and the actual event, which would be crucial to the party's fortunes in the presidential election.

Nana Akufo-Addo was hopeful that the party (NPP) had learnt a lesson from the "Swedru Declaration" of the NDC and its aftermath when former President J. J. Rawlings used his fiat to see Prof John Evans Atta Mills through as that party's presidential candidate.

He said on the contrary, the United Party (UP) tradition has from time immemorial; elected its leaders through approved transparent and democratic channels without imposition as the parties, which were borne out of that tradition, were not the bona fide property of anyone.

Nana Akufo-Addo said all aspirants were potential winners and losers and was optimistic that the verdict at Congress would be respected and accepted by all to further strengthen party unity. Congress decisions, he said had always been correct and hoped that history would be repeating itself.

He cautioned that it would be suicidal for the party to return from Congress with broken limbs and allow the NDC to return to power. Regarding the relationship that would emerge between the NPP under his leadership and the Volta Region, Nana Akufo-Addo said strategies would be fashioned out to increase its parliamentary seat from one to between six and 10.

He said the NPP must increase its presence in Parliament in 2009, noting that a strong foundation had already been laid by the Kufuor administration, which must be consolidated to give the party the impetus to fulfill its developmental goals to the people.