Akufo-Addo is now a true statesman - Ade Coker

The Greater Accra Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Ade Coker, has described the 2012 presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, as a true statesman.

“For the first time a precedent has been set; for a losing presidential candidate was able to call his opponent within seconds after election,” Ade Coker stressed.

Ade Coker was speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem Morning Show on Friday.

The Supreme Court of Ghana on Thursday affirmed the declaration by the Electoral Commission that John Dramani Mahama was validly elected as president of the Republic of Ghana in a closely fought December 2012 presidential poll.

The nine-member panel dismissed a petition brought by leaders of the NPP claiming fraud in the election. Nana Akufo-Addo in declaring his acceptance of the judgment said: “While I disagree with the court’s decision, I accept it. I accept that what the court says brings a finality to the election dispute. We shall not be asking for a review of the verdict, so we can all move on in the interest of our nation”.

He had earlier called President John Mahama on phone and congratulated him minutes after the judgment.

Ade Coker said Nana Akufo-Addo will now take the posture of a statesman for his actions after the court's verdict.

“I doff my heart to Nana Akufo-Addo for showing such maturity and commitment when the court affirmed President Mahama as the president of Ghana,” Ade Coker said.