Mahama’s inconsistencies caused his defeat – Odike

The leader of United Progressive Party (UPP) Akwasi Addai Odike has stated that the inconsistent and indecisive nature of the outgoing President caused his defeat during the December 7 polls.

He said the President John Dramani Mahama lost focus in the run up to the elections hence his antagonistic posture.

Mr Addai observed that President Mahama was getting on the nerves of Ghanaians with his ‘annoying comments’ and the release of the Montie trio from prison.

Speaking with host of Abusua Nkommo on Abusua FM Kwame Adinkrah, Mr Odike said the irregularities in the Mahama-led administration is unprecedented.

He recalled that the President’s comment of not paying nurses and teachers’ allowances even if it will cause his defeat only to turn back to settle them on table tops is another factor.

According to him, the teeming Ghanaian youth are desiring for jobs and not infrastructural developments which President Mahama and NDC propagated.

Odike who endorsed the President-elect after his disqualification explained that the latter and his party New Patriotic Party (NPP) promised Ghanaians jobs and they bought that message.

He indicated that President Mahama had no vision hence his attempt in trying to implement all Nana Addo’s policy ideas but could not work around the clock to challenge the statues-quo.

‘Anytime we support a party, they win power, God has blessed us with wisdom, so we consider so many things before we endorse a particular party, especially the attitude of the party plays a role. The second is people’s expectations from the government and assessment of the government’s performance.

Majority of Ghanaians were not happy about President Mahama’s conduct, his comments were un-presidential, he was always getting on the nerves of Ghanaians and the release of the Montie three was a major factor. He promised to put monies in people’s pockets, the next minute, he says he wouldn’t, and he had no vision, he was trying to implement all Nana Addo’s policy ideas,’ he stated.

He stressed that bigwigs in the NDC who were sidelined during the electioneering period also caused the President’s gross defeat.

‘They thought they could win the elections with bribes, sidelining of NDC gurus caused their defeat. People like Ohene Agyekum, Joseph Yamin Deputy Coordinator of NADMO, the former finance Minister Kwabena Duffuor and rather selected unknown faces to campaign for him in the Ashanti region. How do you win 1 million votes in the region,’ he asked.