Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has appealed to party supporters to put the Supreme Court verdict on the 2012 election petition behind them and focus on 2016 general elections.
He urged supporters and all aspirants vying for national positions in next year’s delegates’ congress to be careful in their utterances during the campaign in order not to derail the party’s chances in 2016.
Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said this when he addressed the Eastern Regional constituency executives and party supporters at a thanksgiving tour in Koforidua.
He appealed to supporters of the party to support the leadership to re-strategize towards 2016 general election.
Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said the silent mood of Ghanaians after the Supreme Court verdict on the 2012 presidential election petition was an indication that majority of the voting population was not satisfied with the ruling.
He commended the hard work of all party agents and followers in the 2012 election and urged them not to give up, adding that the NPP leadership recognized and appreciated their efforts.
The 2012 vice- presidential candidate of the NPP, Dr Mahammadu Bawumia, said Ghana’s economy was in crisis.
He told party supporters that the Ghanaian economy was being mismanaged by the Mahama administration, hence their failure to pay Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), District Assembly Common Fund and other statutory payments.
Dr Bawumia said even though the NDC government was benefiting from the oil find and other foreign assistance, it still had difficulties in paying workers’ salaries and resourcing many state institutions.
Dr Bawumia introduced what he termed as the “11th Commandment” of the Bible for members of the NPP to ensure party unity which is “Thou shall not speak evil of a fellow NPP member” and pleaded with NPP supporters to ensure brotherly love in the party.
Dr Bawumia appealed to party members eyeing positions in the upcoming polling station, constituency, regional and national elections to avoid personality attacks and insinuations so as to maintain party unity.
The General Secretary of the party, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, urged party supporters to bring proposals on the way forward of the party to the national executive for consideration.
The National Women’s Organizer, Ms Otiko Djaba, appealed to party supporters to “dry their tears” after losing the court case and fight for the future with pride because the party had done a yeoman’s job to consolidate the peace of the country.
She called for an end to accusations and counter accusations in the party.
