Embattled presidential nominee for the United Progressive Party (UPP), Akwasi Addai Odike, has thrown his weight behind the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, ahead of this year’s presidential elections.
Mr. Odike, who had earlier backed out of the 2016 presidential election, indicated that he will organize other smaller political parties to join in canvassing votes for the NPP and its flagbearer to unseat President John Mahama in the December polls.
[contextly_sidebar id=”fxj6Oim86Gdx8RvDJyjVLb6hf8z3ZQ4c”]In an interview with Citi News, Mr. Odike, who endorsed the candidature of President Mahama in the 2012 election, described the Mahama administration as a failure hence his decision.
He said he took the decision because both parties [UPP and NPP] have similar ideas for the growth and development of the country.
“We are throwing our support to the candidate of the NPP simply because his vision and our vision is almost the same, we believe in industrialization, we think that industries is the best way to turn around the fortunes of this country for the better,” he said.
He added that “Nana Addo is a very humble person, very affable and he is a man of intelligence so we believe that if this man is at the helm of affairs of this nation [and he is also a listener], we can advise him in so many ways to change the fortunes of this country for better.”
He argued that, President Mahama has supervised the decline of Ghana’s economy, and has proven that even if he is given additional time, he would do very little to revive the economy.
“He [Mahama] has proven that he cannot deliver. Even if he’s given a hundred years. President Mahama’s economic policies have saddled this country. He doesn’t deserve a renewed mandate,” Odike said.
‘Odike withdraws from presidential race’
The flagbearer had earlier announced his withdrawal from this year’s presidential polls citing “personal” reasons for the decision.
Some executives of the UPP in September this year, dragged Mr. Odike to court asking that he should be prevented from filing his nomination forms to contest in the upcoming polls.
‘UPP sacks Odike from party’
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the United Progressive Party (UPP), earlier this year, also said they had dismissed Mr Odike from the party after what it described as gross disrespect for the party’s constitution.
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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana