President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has taken a swipe at National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama’s assertion that securing the 8th position on the 2024 presidential ballot guarantees his victory.
During a recent address, Mahama confidently declared, “I’m holding number 8, and I’m telling NPP to come and break it if they can.”
This statement was seen as a challenge to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its Presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Akufo-Addo’s Retort
While engaging with chiefs in the Upper East region, President Akufo-Addo playfully mocked Mahama’s claim.
“Breaking the 8 and having number 8, that’s not a good sign at all,” he said.
The President’s remarks were made in support of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s candidacy who picked number One for the ballot position.
Akufo-Addo seized on Mahama’s statement, saying: “I have seen that former President John Mahama is saying all kinds of things about the number 8 that he chose. That means he is going to win. Well, breaking the 8 and having number 8, that’s not a good sign at all.”
He explained “Our game is to break the 8, and he picked the 8, then it’s very simple, adding that the NPP is confident in its ability to secure victory.
The president also praised Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s loyalty and commitment, saying: “For nearly 20 years that I have been working with Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, I have not had one day, one occasion to doubt his loyalty, to doubt his commitment.”
Akufo-Addo urged the chiefs and people of the Upper East Region to support Bawumia in the upcoming elections, saying: “I have come here to ask for your support to help Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia break the 8.”
He urged the chiefs to support Dr Bawumia in the upcoming elections.
NPP’s “Break the 8” Goal
The NPP has made “Breaking the 8” a central campaign theme, aiming to secure a third consecutive term in office.
John Mahama’s “Number 8” claim was seen as a direct challenge to this goal.
BY Daniel Bampoe