The 2012 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Akufo Addo cruised to victory in the first of the party’s primaries for the presidential candidate on Sunday despite concerns about his age and viability.
Out of 741 ballots cast, Nana Akufo-Addo polled 598 votes representing 81.28 percent of total votes cast while his closest contender, Alan Kyerematen obtained 59 votes representing 8.01 percent.
The other three candidates joining them to contest the October 18 congress are Francis Addai Nimoh, the MP for Asante Mampong who polled 22 votes represnting 2.85 percent of votes cast, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joe Ghartey who also obtained 22 votes representing 2.85 percent and Kofi Osei Ameyaw MP for Asuogyaman who picked 17 votes representing 1,90 percent of total votes cast.
Spokesperson for Mr. Kyerematen who promised his candidate would pull a surprise at the delegates congress has expressed surprise at the results.
According to him delegates had assured Mr. Kyeremanten of their votes but the results have been a disappointment.
“Particularly, I am a bit surprised at the result we have received from the Central and the Western region and also the two upper regions. Because the indication that most of the delegates gave is completely different from the results that we are getting , but that is their mandate and they have expressed it” he added.
The congress was to reduce the number of aspirants seeking to lead the party in the 2016 presidential elections from seven to five.
There had been concerns about Nana Addo’s age and health with some claiming he might be too old to serve as president of the nation.
Some had also raised concerns about the possibility of the Nana Addo losing at the national polls having led the NPP in the last two elections which they lost.
However the results indicate the delegates have decided to trust him again.
It is still unclear how this result will impact the October 18 congress with many asking for the candidate with the highest percentage of votes to be declared presidential candidate.
The two candidates who have been dropped are Stephen Asamoah Boateng and Kofi Konadu Apraku, both former ministers in the Kufour government.
The two obtained obtained 1.76 percent and 1.36 percent of votes cast respectively.
By: Nana Ama Agyemang Asante/citifmonline.cm/Ghana