Konadu is no hypocrite - NDP

The National Democratic Party (NDP) says its leader Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings cannot be accused of hypocrisy just because she recently acknowledged the law credentials of the 2012 presidential Candidate of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), contrary to her earlier stance on that matter in the lead up to the 2012 elections.

The former first lady acknowledged Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a Lawyer on Tuesday when she visited him at his Nima residence in Accra.

Deputy Communications Director of the NDP, Dr. Hilarius Abiwu, told XYZ Breakfast Show host Moro Awudu on Wednesday that Mrs. Rawlings had no option than accord Nana Akufo-Addo due recognition as a lawyer because a court recently dismissed a suit that, similarly, sought to question the law credentials of the former Attorney General.

That legal challenge was initiated against Nana Akufo-Addo by retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice F.Y. Kpegah.

In the dismissed writ, the former acting Chief Justice argued that the former presidential candidate was impersonating one W.A.D Akufo-Addo - a qualified lawyer who, per the retired Judge’s estimation, was duly called to the bar - and therefore prayed the court to restrain Nana Akufo-Addo from holding himself as W.A.D. Akufo-Addo or practising as a lawyer.

However, Dr. Abiwu said Mrs. Rawlings, who had earlier expressed similar reservations about Nana Akufo-Addo’s legal qualification, had no choice than to respect the ruling of the court and by so doing, accord Nana Akufo-Addo the recognition as a lawyer.

Dr. Abiwu was reacting to accusations of hypocrisy against the former first lady after she had referred to Nana Akufo-Addo as a lawyer and a statesman when she visited him at his Nima residence on Tuesday to congratulate him for conceding to President John Mahama after the Supreme Court pronounced verdict on the election petition case.

A lot of criticism was hurled at her, especially, on social media, after her Tuesday visit.

However, Dr. Abiwu told Moro Awudu in an interview on Wednesday that: “According to the position of the law, Nana Addo has been declared a full lawyer, duly called to the bar and if we are congratulating Nana Addo for accepting the rule of law; accepting the verdict of the court, it was proper for us also, who say that we believe in the rule of law, to take the position of the court until another court of competent jurisdiction declares otherwise that Nana Akufo-Addo is not a lawyer”.

He explained that, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, by recognising Nana Akufo-Addo as a lawyer, merely demonstrated “humility” and “respect” for the rule of law and the position of the court.