The flag-bearer of the opposition NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo has rebutted the NDC’s tagline suggesting that his ‘all die be die’ comment was to incite people to die in order for him to become the President of Ghana.
Addressing the media in the Volta Regional capital, Ho, on Monday to react to President Atta Mills’ State of the Nation address last week, which circuitously referred to him as a war-monger and war drums beater, Nana Addo said he has not reneged on his conviction that no blood should be shed for him to become president.
“I said repeatedly that I would not want a single drop of a Ghanaian blood to be spilled for me to become president. I am still committed to it,” he pledged.
However, he noted, “such a commitment does not mean that I should stand by and watch followers of the party I have the privilege and responsibility to lead, being brutalized without protection from the state”.
He opined that having stood for his beliefs right from his youthful days, he would be shirking his duty, now, as a political leader if he fails “to speak out to the followers of my party to stand up and defend those shared values”.
He accused the Mills administration of doing little to unite the country, arguing that Thursday’s red alert directive to the security agencies was targeted at his political opponents.
Opponents of the NPP, mainly the ruling NDC, and a cross section of Ghanaians have descended heavily on the NPP flag-bearer for the “all die be die” comments and demanded that he retracts and apologize to Ghanaians.
But Nana Akufo-Addo has defended the statement, reiterating that it was a defensive exultation and not an incitement.
“We did not want to win at any cost. Let no one use propaganda, deceit to discredit our proven record of commitment to Ghana’s democracy. They will not succeed.”
He assured Ghanaians that the NPP will ensure that the 2012 elections are held under the atmosphere of “peace and tranquility” and therefore called on the president and his party to join efforts to strengthen Ghana’s democracy.
Story by Isaac Essel