NPP confident of court victory – Jake

The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Jake Okanta Obetsebi-Lamptey, said the party was confident of overturning the December 7 presidential poll results, announced by the Electoral Commission, at the Supreme Court.

He called on NPP supporters and sympathizers to remain calm and stand solidly behind the leadership of the party as it prepares for court.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey was addressing NPP loyalists at the Abbey’s Park, Ashtown, Kumasi, after they had undertaken a protest march to express their displeasure with what they claim was massive electoral cheating that denied the party of victory in Election 2012.

He said the leadership of the party had gone far in gathering evidence to convince the court that the collation of votes was fraught with widespread discrepancies, and must not be allowed to stand.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said: “We will continue with this struggle until victory is ours”, and the expectant crowd broke into the chorus of “No Nana, no president”, referring to NPP presidential candidate for Election 2012, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo.

The NPP National Chairman said the party has proof that the ballot count in many polling centres across the country were manipulated to give unfair advantage to President John Mahama, presidential candidate of National Democratic Congress.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey dismissed taunts by some people that the party has no case and would not be able to proceed to the court, and said NPP would not be stampeded by its political opponents.

Mr Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie, NPP General Secretary, said the party would not allow the mandate of the people to be stolen, and it would fight until justice is attained.

Mr Frederick Fredua Antoh, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, said the decision to battle things out in court, was indicative of the party’s  strong belief in democracy and the rule of law.

The supporters, who massed on the streets, brought business activities in Kumasi, the nation’s second largest city, to a halt for hours with roads leading to the city clogged with vehicular traffic.

Some traders took advantage of the situation to make money from the sale of NPP’s paraphernalia.

Source: GNA