Togo elections: Learn from NPP - Kokofu advises opposition party

Former Member of Parliament for Bantama, Henry Kokofu has advised Togo to learn from the 2012 acts of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to enable peace in the country.

His comments came following the recent elections held in Togo with the opposition leader Agbeyome Kodjo accusing the authorities of widespread fraud.

Comparing Ghana’s government to that of Togo, he said that what is currently happening in Togo is exactly what transpired in Ghana eight years ago between the NPP and the NDC after elections.

“In 2012, we had our elections and the New Patriotic Party were declared losers. President Akufo-Addo who was then the candidate with his Vice President Bawumia and late Jake Obetsebi Lamptey led the party to court because we felt the elections were rigged."

According to him, his party (NPP) refused to accept the loss and conveyed the case to court but unfortunately lost.

“In 2013, the Electoral Commission declared John Mahama of the NDC winner but Akufo-Addo who loves his people together with supporters remained calm and let go of the case,” Kokofu added.

He then stipulated that if Togo is ignorant of all that happened some years ago in Ghana, they should remember that specific occurrence.

“So, if Togo does not know anything at all, they are our immediate neighbours and therefore must learn from us. We have made an example for them to follow. It is not for nothing,’ he stated.

Kokofu also urged Agbeyome Kodjo to go to court if he feels cheated rather than cause chaos that will destroy the peace of the nation.



Background

Dr. Agbeyome Kodjo, a leading candidate in the recently ended presidential elections in Togo has reacted to the CENI’s declaration of president Faure as the winner of the election by calling on the citizens to stand up and resist.

Mr. Agbeyome who had already declared himself winner was the leading candidate with more than 61 percent of the vote cast until CENI announced their provisional results which saw Faure winning with more than 70 percent of the total vote cast.

This issue has resulted in the anger of the opposition leader and supporters and are refusing to accept the declaration.