Buhari’s win shows “anything is possible” – Akufo-Addo

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) believes the wind of change in Nigeria could replicate itself in Ghana in the 2016 elections, but will require a lot of determination.

The flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo, said General (rtd) Muhammadu Buhari’s triumph should send a clear signal to the main opposition party’s support base that “anything is possible.”

Speaking to a delegation from the Ablekuma West constituency, the three-time flagbearer of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition stated he is optimistic Ghanaians will vote wisely next year.

“The victory of General Buhari in the just ended Nigerian presidential election has shown that anything is possible,” Nana Addo said.

“If he could overturn a 10 million deficit and win by a margin of some 2.5 million votes, we can as well effect the change that Ghanaians are desperately yearning for. Nigerians voted for a leader with integrity, and one who is strongly against corruption. Ghanaians want such a leader as well.”

The constituency executives called on Nana Addo to thank him and the National Council of the Party for withdrawing the pro-women fiat regarding the upcoming parliamentary primaries.

Nana Akufo-Addo thanked the executives for the visit and reassured them that the directives issued by NEC were not meant to favour nor hinder any particular person.

“They were intended to promote the visibility of women in our parliamentary party. When decisions are made by leadership and the grassroots disagree with it, as good leaders, you have to take those concerns on board. We are a listening party, ‘Ye tie obiaa, and that is what the National Council has done.” Akufo-Addo said.

Nana Akufo-Addo stressed that the Party firmly believes in the ideals of the policy, describing it as a "firm step in getting the goal of equity and justice for women", and added that the party will in the near future, and with the full support of membership, seek to institutionalise the policy.

He urged the executives to ensure that the upcoming parliamentary primaries are conducted in a manner that will give Ghanaians the confidence to entrust us with the mantle of leadership, adding that “Ghanaians want change and want a President from the NPP.”

They were led by the former chairman of the constituency, Theoplilus Tettey.

Also present at the meeting was Kwamena Bartels, a former Minister, former Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North and currently a member of the NPP’s National Council.