Akufo Addo does not support going unopposed

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has distanced himself from calls for him to run unopposed as the New Patriotic Party's  2016 Presidential candidate.

According to his spokesperson, Mustapha Hamid, "it is not going to happen. In this NPP? - No".

A youth wing in the Greater Accra branch of the NPP has called for all other aspirants to back off and hail their two-time presidential candidate in a popular acclamation.

That, they argued would not be undemocratic.

According to them, a third chance for Nana Addo is "commonsense" spokesperson of the wing, Bernard Owusu said at a press conference Tuesday.

"The only means of getting power now is getting Nana Addo to lead the party", he said.

They also argued the party does not have the "luxury of time" to stomach internal politics which could be divisive if losers decide to resign from the party as it happened in 2008.

Despite the party's acclaimed strong democratic credentials, the youths feared the party would not be able to mend cracks that may develop if competition were to be encouraged.

Apart from Akufo-Addo, at least five other aspirants names have come up as interested contestants.

Nana Addo's two-time challenger Alan Kyerematen and Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku have openly declared their intentions.

Other names that have come up as interested candidates are Joe Ghartey, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Addai Nimoh, MP for Mampong, Isaac Osei, MP for Subin, Dr Richard Anane, MP for Bantama, Stephen Asamoah Boateng and Papa Owusu Ankomah.

But speaking to Joy FM, Nana Addo's spokesperson, Mr Mustapha Hamid said it will be an "anticlimax" if the 2012 flagbearer of the party whose democratic activism spans 40 years endorses calls for him to run unopposed.

"They are not the first people to say so. They are doing it on their own behalf", he pointed out.

The 2012 Presidential candidate garnered 47.74% of the votes in an election which a candidate needed 50% plus one to be declared winner.