Akufo-Addo speaks on “unexpected” Talensi defeat
The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, has shared his thoughts on the outcome of Tuesday’s by-election in Talensi.
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After a heated campaign, the candidate of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC), Benson Tongo (BT) Baba, was elected the Member of Parliament for the Talensi Constituency in the Upper East Region.
Mr Baba polled 10, 366 votes, representing 42.31% of the total votes, while the NPP’s Wuni Thomas Duanab polled 6,845 votes, representing 27.94%.
The candidate of the People’s National Conversation (PNC), Dr Wumbeogo Michael Duanab, also polled 6,836 votes, representing 27.90 per cent.
Commenting on the development in Accra Wednesday, Mr Akufo-Addo , who had campaigned for the NPP in Talensi, described the result as unexpected.
He said: “The results were not what we were expecting, but I am not too worried about that, especially as it was a traditional NDC seat.
“I am interested in the morale and the attitude of our party members that were on display in the campaign and on the day. The results are disappointing, but the work that was done, coupled with the attitude and commitment of our people towards the work ahead in 2016, was very encouraging.”
Mr Akufo-Addo said this, according to a statement from his office, when five newly-elected parliamentary candidates from the Aowin, Bia East, Bia West, Bodi and Juaboso constituencies in the Western Region called on him at his Nima residence.
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He urged all NPP members, sympathisers and well-wishers not to be discouraged by the Talensi result, saying: “This seat was not traditionally our seat. “
The former Foreign Affairs Minister lauded the “attitude and morale shown by our party members”.
“If we can replicate this, it will help us a lot,” he noted.
Mr Akufo-Addo also accused the government of abusing its incumbency and resorting to State-sponsored violence in the bid to win the Talensi by-election.
“We shouldn’t be discouraged. We all witnessed the blatant abuse of incumbency in Talensi, to the extent that the entire government machinery, including State-sponsored violence, descended on this constituency all in the bid to win a by-election,” he said.