Aspects of Addison’s address interesting but false – Ben Ephson

Public rating of the oral submission by lawyers representing both the petitioners and respondents in the ongoing election petition suit at the Supreme Court appears varied, mostly based on one’s political affiliation.

Whiles some believe Lawyer Tony Lithur, Quarshie-Idun and Tsatsu Tsikata proved their mettle and floored Lawyer Philip Addison, some averred rather differently.

But renowned pollster and seasoned journalist, Ben Ephson Jnr. has described certain aspects of the oral submission made by Philip Addison as “interesting but false”.

Ben Ephson asserts that in the course of his submission, “Lawyer Addison made two very interesting points towards the end. He said that President Mahama had over 447,000 plus votes more than his parliamentary candidates and that was bizarre and odd. The second point was that, the NPP is in the minority yet they have over 112, 000 votes more than the NDC majority”.

And according to him, “that’s another interesting but false analysis”.

He pointed out that “in 2008, the NDC had a smaller majority in Parliament yet, the NPP minority had 283,000 votes than the NDC majority. And it is simply because where NPP have their safe seats, there are more voters there. That is why in 2008, Nana Akufo-Addo nearly became president with only two regions”.

Mr. Ephson, who is the Managing Editor of the Dispatch Newspaper made these observations during a telephone interview on ‘Tea Cup’, on Radio Gold.

It was to throw more light on his 9th August edition of the Newspaper with its banner headline, ‘Addison’s Figures Confirm Mahama’s 2012 Prez Victory’? The newspaper likened events at Wednesday’s proceedings at the Supreme Court to a soccer match where a late goal own goal has been scored.

“It looks like some figures released by the lead counsel of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) petitioners, could help some ordinary Ghanaian believe that President John Mahama deserves his 2012 presidential victory. It can be described as a late own goal” The Daily Dispatch publication read.