Accra, April 16, GNA – A cross section of notable personalities from Ghana’s political divide were at the Supreme Court on Tuesday to observe proceedings of the Election Petition brought before the court by three leading members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Among them were Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, 2012 Presidential Candidate for the NPP, his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and Jake Otanka Obetsebi Lamptey, NPP Chairman, the petitioners.
Also present were Sheik I.C. Quaye, Gabby Otchere Darko, Mr Agyiri Blankson all members of the NPP.
Others were Dr Kwabena Adjei, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Asiedu Nketiah, NDC General Secretary, Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, Majority Leader of Parliament, and Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofoh, former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.
The rest were Mr Kwadwo Afari Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), and Madam Akua Donkor, founder and leader of the Ghana Freedom Party.
President John Dramani Mahama was, however, not in court personally.
The petitioners’ legal team included Ms. Gloria Akuffo, Mr Philip Addison, Mr Frank Davies, Mr Alex Quaynor, Mr Akoto Ampaw, Nana Asante Bediatuo, Mr Kwame Akuffo, Mr Kwaku Asirifi, Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, Mr Egbert Faibille and Professor Ken Attafuah.
President Mahama was represented by Mr. Tony Lithur and Dr Abdul Basit Aziz Bamba, while Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata and Mr. Samuel Codjoe represented the NDC, and Mr. James Quashie-Idun, Mr. Anthony Dabi and Mr. Stanley Amarteyfio represented the EC.
The Election Petition was brought before the Supreme Court by the flagbearer of the NPP Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr Bawumia, his running mate and Mr. Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, the NPP Chairman challenging the result of the December 2012 Presidential Election.
The petitioners are seeking to overturn the declaration of President John Dramani Mahama as winner of Election 2012, citing widespread irregularities during the conduct of the poll.
The court is expected to establish whether or not there were statutory violations, irregularities, omissions and malpractices in the 2012 general elections, and to determine whether those issues affected the results declared.
The respondents are President Mahama, the NDC and Mr. Afari Gyan, the Electoral Commissioner.
GNA