By Gifty Arthur
The Deputy Minister for Energy and Petroleum, John Abdulai Jinapor is convinced that twice defeated presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) can never beat President John Dramini Mahama in any election.
Mr. Jinapor who until his appointment was the spokesperson for the President, both at the time he served as vice-President to President John Mills to his transition to the highest office of the land, said that William Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, would be whipped anytime he stands any national election with his former boss.
The former spokesperson who was an integral part of the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) campaign, which lasted for only forty (40) days as against the NPP’s over two years, was contributing to a newspaper discussion on Metro TV’s “Good Morning Ghana” programme hosted by sit-in presenter Samuel Agyeman on Monday.
Having in mind the petition at the Supreme Court, with the nine judges led by Justice William Atubiga, are yet to make pronouncement on, Mr Jinapor believed that the attributes of President Mahama could not be matched by Mr Akuffo Addo who was for the first time beating in 2008 by late President Mills.
He was speaking ahead of declaration by the Supreme Court who were petitioned by Mr Akufo Addo, his vice-presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and party Chairman Jacob Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, demanding to annul over four million valid votes.
In a sharp rebuttal, the representative from the NPP, Eugene Asante Antwi, could not let the statement pass without disputing it, said the statement by Mr Jinapor can happen only when the elections are stolen for Mr. Mahama, but not on a clear, fair and transparent manner.
The NPP is in court seeking to over-turn a declaration by the Electoral Commission (EC) led by its Chairman Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan that the 2012 general elections were conducted amidst irregularities, which largely benefitted President Mahama.
After listening to both petitioners and respondents make submission on the case, the Supreme Court has adjourned sitting till July 30, when they shall re-convey to hear the final addresses by the actors in the petition, to enable them determine the true winner of the 2012 general elections.
