NPP should opt for the Accra Sports Stadium than a live telecast in court - Okudzeto Ablakwa

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

A Deputy Information Minister is appealing to the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood to use the Accra Sports Stadium as venue for the court proceedings as the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) presents its case of electoral fraud against the Electoral Commission (EC) at the Supreme Court.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa believes the stadium will provide enough "public spectacle" for the NPP rather than the live broadcast they seek from the Chief Justice.

His comment is in reaction to the call by Executive Director of the governance think tank Danquah Institute (DI), Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko for a live telecast of the court case between the NPP and EC case which is yet to be filed in court.

Gabby argued that a live telecast will ensure transparency and further deepen the country's democracy and prayed the Chief Justice to allow television cameras to broadcast live the proceedings of the law suit.

But Okudzeto Ablakwa on Asempa FM's Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday, stated unequivocally that the government is not scared of the “dirty comical matters” of the NPP.

According to him, no serious political party which has legitimately lost an election will engage in a “comedy of contradictions” in the name of looking for evidence of electoral fraud.

The Deputy Information Minister noted that the mere fact that leading members of the NPP are quoting different figures as evidences to prove the election was rigged in favour of President Mahama shows the party is confused.

He indicated whilst the NPP General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie claimed the election was rigged by 1 million votes, the Minority Leader Kyei Mensah-Bonsu claimed it was rigged by 150,000 votes, the NPP running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on the other hand quoted 100,000 votes and Chairman of the legal team, Ayikwei Otoo claimed he did not know the figures. These contradictions Okudzeto insisted made mockery of their argument.

Ablakwa, who is also the Member of Parliament elect for the North Tongu Constituency intimated that the NPP is gradually carving a niche for itself as an undemocratic party which does not respect the will of the people.

He stressed that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) won the election based on merit and not through collusion with the EC as the NPP wants its agitated supporters to believe.

Okudzeto Ablakwa urged the NPP to wake up to reality and brace itself for a massive battle in 2016.