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NPP Super Delegates' Conference: Akufo-Addo-80.78%, the rest- 19.22%

By Myjoyonline.com | Malik Abass Daabu
NPP NPP Super Delegates' Conference: Akufo-Addo-80.78, the rest- 19.22
AUG 31, 2014 LISTEN

The two-time Presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo, has secured an emphatic win at the Super Delegates' Conference of the party.

Mr. Akufo-Addo received an overwhelming endorsement from special delegates of the NPP in Sunday's vote.

The election was to prune down the number of flagbearer aspirants to five who go on to the second stage of the process to choose a presidential candidate for the opposition party.

Out of 740 ballots cast, Nana Akufo-Addo polled 598 votes, representing 80.78%, with his closest contender Alan Kyerematen obtaining a paltry tally of 59 votes representing 7.98 per cent. Addai Nimoh and Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Joe Ghartey both obtained 22 votes each which is 2.98per cent of total votes cast, while Osei Ameyaw managed 16 votes (2.17%) to pick up the last ticket to the October 18 national delegates' conference.

Former Information Minister Stephen Asamoah Boateng (13 votes) and former Trade Minister Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku (10 votes) have dropped out of the race with 1.76% and 1.35% respectively.

The magnitude of Nana Akufo-Addo's win is as surprising as the scale of the loss of Mr. Kyerematen who campaigned on the slogan of change.

From the votes, it would appear that the delegates have rejected the message of change propagated by the six aspirants.

New kid on the block, Addai Nimoh, surprised many but so too did Konadu Apraku disappoint them.

The MP for Mampong in the Ashanti Regional, relatively unkown in national politics made it to the top five, a feat election watcher Ben Ephson says is remarkable.

Mr. Ephson said he is surprised by the abysmal purformance of Dr. Apraku who was a respected minister under the John Kufuor government.

Dr. Apraku may have been a victim of his own doing, Ben Ephson, believes.

The former Trade Minister has led a foundering campaign against Akufo-Addo's third term bid and may have been punished for same.

Ben Ephson is not the only one who is surprised; spokesperson for Mr. Alan Kyerematen's campaign, Nana Ohene Ntow, a former General Secretary of the NPP, told Joy FM "We knew Nana Addo would lead but not like this."

He says the margin of victory by the two-time presidential candidate was very surprising.

It is unclear whether there will be a contest in October 18 for the party's nomination.

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