General News of Thursday, 22 August 2013

Source: joyonline

Mahama to meet Akufo-Addo before petition judgment

President John Mahama is likely to meet New Patriotic Party flag-bearer in the 2012 elections and first Petitioner in the Presidential Election Petition Nana Akufo Addo in peace talks as both leaders prepare to receive the verdict of the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

The meeting is part of a peace initiative by failed presidential candidates in the 2012 elections to bring the two leaders together.

They want the two leaders to jointly and on the same platform pledge their commitment to peace and their willingness to accept any ruling from the Supreme Court which has heard an eight month long election petition litigation.

Leaders of the NPP are contesting in court, the declaration of President Mahama as legitimate winner of the 2012 elections.

A judgement is due next week Thursday.

There are fears, losing parties in the Election Petition may resort to violence.

Frantic efforts have thus been put in place by civil society groups and religious bodies to ensure there is peace after the verdict.

On Wednesday, the flagbearers of the PNC, CPP, UFP, the GCPP and the only independent Presidential candidate in the 2012 election paid courtesy calls on the two leaders- President Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo- to implore them to accept the verdict of the 2012 elections.

Jacob Osei Yeboah the leader of the failed aspirants paid glowing tribute to the two leaders for using the court of law to address the election dispute- a step he believed will strengthen the judicial branch of government in the country.

He however appealed to the winner of the petition to consider uniting the country for purposes of peace and development.

Nana Akufo-Addo reiterated his commitment to accept whatever verdict, the nine panel of judges come up with on Thursday.

In their meeting with the President at his Cantonment residence, President Mahama said his pledge to accept any outcome from the Supreme Court has not changed.

He also pledged to ensure an all-inclusive government.

If the efforts by the failed presidential candidate is successful, the two leaders are likely to meet before judgement is handed.