Presidential flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Francis Addai-Nimoh, has advised delegates participating in the Party's presidential primary on November 4 not to cast their votes for a candidate with government ties.
Mr Addai-Nimoh expressed concerns that selecting a candidate associated with the current government could potentially undermine the NPP's chances in the general elections.
The 58-year-old aspirant, who considers himself the youngest yet most experienced contender in the race, arrived at this conclusion after reviewing electoral trends since 2008.
To enhance the Party's chances of retaining power, Mr. Addai-Nimoh called on delegates to vote for him, emphasizing the need to break with the trend of selecting government appointees.
In an interview with a local radio station in Accra, the former Member of Parliament for the Mampong Constituency argued that both the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have failed to secure victory in a general election after nominating a candidate associated with a sitting government.
He cited instances where candidates with government ties faced challenges at the polls.
Mr. Addai-Nimoh highlighted that late President Professor Evans Atta Mills, who had served as Vice-President in the Rawlings administration, was unable to secure a win in the 2000 elections.
Similarly, President Akufo-Addo's bid for the presidency in 2008 was unsuccessful, partly due to his role in the Kufour administration.
Former President John Dramani Mahama faced a similar situation in 2016 because he was a sitting President and an NDC candidate.
Throughout his interview, Mr. Addai-Nimoh emphasized that he offered the NPP quality leadership and unity.
He spoke about his unblemished track record in both public and private life and expressed the belief that his candidature would serve the NPP well in the upcoming elections.
Born to a police officer, Mr. Addai-Nimoh made the case for his candidacy as a unifying force for the NPP and promised to provide the party with effective leadership if chosen as its presidential candidate.
