The Asia-Pacific branch of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) says Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is neither a “selfish” nor “corrupt” leader, thus the best bet for the party for 2016.

The caucus is pushing for the two-time presidential Candidate to run for a third consecutive time.

In a press statement, signatories Dr Charles Dwamena, NPP China branch Chairman, Mr Abu Rahman, NPP China branch Secretary; Mr Bernard Oppong Kusi, NPP Japan branch Chairman; and Dr Samuel Amponsah, NPP Japan branch Secretary, said:

“The Asia-Pacific Caucus of the New Patriotic Party wish to place on record our believe in the good leadership qualities and style of the 2012 flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, and our firm conviction that he is the right person to steer the affairs of the party for victory in the 2016 elections and that there is the urgent need for all party members to pray for his return to frontline politics”.

According to the group, “We have also noted with much satisfaction the calls by numerous groups within the party, especially at the grassroots level, for Nana Addo to return to lead the party for victory in 2016. These calls, we believe, affirm the good leadership qualities of Nana Addo”.

“To us, Nana Akufo-Addo, to date, remains the most viable presidential material and our party’s best chance of securing victory in the 2016 general elections. We welcome any person or groups of persons who believe otherwise, to present their case for discussion”, the statement said.

The caucus, which includes the party’s branches in Korea, Japan and China, noted in the statement that it is “of the view that there is no point in changing a leader who remains our best chance for victory in the 2016 election”.

It gave the assurance to Ghanaians that “under an Akufo-Addo presidency, come 2017, the nation will never witness instances where questionable contracts of the likes of the SUBAH, GYEEDA, SADA, etc are entered into by government”.

“Neither will there be instances where the presidency will be used to promote the personal interest of relatives of the president because Nana Addo is not corrupt, has never been corrupt and will never be corrupt and as such is the best candidate for the party, come 2016”, the group said.

Despite its preference for Nana Akufo-Addo, the caucus nonetheless urged other interested aspirants to “join the race but do so in a dignified manner, without attacking the reputation of any candidate”.