Former President, Jerry John Rawlings has advised the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to respect what he described as “the atmosphere of peace” and adopt the right procedures in seeking redress over last Friday’s polls.
The NPP has accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of conniving with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to rig the election in its favour.
The EC on Sunday declared President John Mahama winner in Friday's fiercely contested election. It said Mr Mahama won by 50.70 per cent of votes, compared to NPP candidate Nana Akufo-Addo's 47.7 per cent.
Mr Rawlings in a statement released in Accra on Wednesday affirmed that “If there are grievances over the results of the elections they [NPP] should follow the appropriate channels and desist from creating an atmosphere that can potentially hurt the peace and stability in the country.”
The statement while admonishing the NPP also congratulated Mr. Mahama on his election.
Below the full text of the congratulatory message
Following the successful conclusion of the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, I extend warm and sincere congratulations to President-Elect John Dramani Mahama.
I call on President-Elect John Mahama to endeavour to restore and defend the NDC’s ideals of unity, stability, development, probity and accountability at all times, as he fulfills the mandate entrusted upon him by an expectant electorate.
I urge the leading opposition party to respect the atmosphere of peace, which characterised the elections. If there are grievances over the results of the elections they should follow the appropriate channels and desist from creating an atmosphere that can potentially hurt the peace and stability in the country.
Once again I commend all Ghanaians for ensuring that the electoral process was held in an atmosphere of serenity despite the challenges posed by the introduction of the voter verification equipment.