Akufo-Addo will lose if there is a run-off - Lecturer

A political science lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Mr. Samuel Adu Gyemfi says Nana Akufo Addo needs a one touch victory because he will lose if the race is pushed into a run-off.

According to him, the other smaller parties that will contest in the race will not support him hence he has to win the first round with a wide margin.

The political science lecturer who was speaking in an interview with Rainbow Radio’s Kwame Tutu said Nana Akufo Addo lost the 2008 and 2012 elections because of his ‘all die be die’ comments which he noted was highly marketed by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

‘’It was his own statement that did the damage. That notwithstanding, it was trumpeted by his opponent. He has to be careful.’’ When asked if the NPP did not respond appropriately to the comments at the time, he posited that their response came in too late.

The political scientist is also warning that because the NDC is developing its core areas and satisfied residents in those places, the NPP leader will lose because if the NDC is able to attack Nana's personality and his perceived violent nature, they will win and Nana Addo will lose.

‘’Nana Addo needs a one touch victory because he will lose should the election go into a run-off. The smaller parties will not vote for him.’’

Mr. Gyemfi explained, the NDC has consistently attacked the personality of Nana Addo and that if the NPP fails to strategically respond appropriately, it will affect the fortunes of Nana Addo.

He therefore cautioned Nana Akufo Addo to measure his response to attacks on his personality by his main contender, President Mahama since that may cause his defeat this election year.

According to him, propaganda, false information a spin, twisted stories pushed to satisfy a certain goal that fails to tell a true story about someone, gains a currency when it is scandalized for a very long time, and that is why, ''I want to advice Nana Akufo Addo to measure his response about the attacks on him,'' he stressed.

‘’Nana Addo should respond measurably because if he fails to respond in a measured way, if he is not careful and tactical, if he does not respond in a manner that will convince electorates, and his response becomes abusive and foul, it will cost him the election.’’

The NDC he indicated have purposely raised the ‘all die be die’’ mantra and the suspension of the three national officers to attack his [Nana Addo's] leadership style.

The comments which the NPP’s candidate recently retracted and apologized he noted went against his persona and charisma. The NDC marketed it very well and electorates bought into that message, he added.

Mr. Gyemfi underscored the need for politics of issues to be encouraged instead of the personality attacks by key players in this year’s election.

Ghanaians he indicated are highly influenced by ethnicity, party affiliation, personality voting among others and these highlights were rift in the 2012 elections.

According to him, these factors will still continue to influence our elections. However, we will soon get a point where politics of issues will be the core decider for Ghanaian voters.