Politics of Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Source: Daily Guide

Odike’s UPP seeks alliance

Akwasi Addai, popularly called Odike Akwasi Addai, popularly called Odike

United Progressive Party (UPP), founded by Akwasi Addai Odike, information indicates, is ready to form an alliance with any political party in the country to wrestle power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2016 general elections.

“We have opened our doors for this possible alliance to form the next government in order to positively transform the economy of Ghana by ensuring stability of the Cedi against the major currencies,” the UPP said in a statement to the media.

The statement, signed by its General Secretary, Razak Kojo Opoku, indicated that the move was also to ensure that solution was found to the current energy crisis and prevent wastage of the country’s resources.

According to the statement, the formation of a possible grand alliance would be in the interest of the nation, whose citizens are yearning for a political change and transformation of the economy.

For the UPP, it is not about individual ambition of becoming president, but it is about uniting to snatch power from the hands of the ruling NDC.

The UPP’s announcement comes after its leader fell out of favour with the ruling party over an alleged broken promise to campaign for President John Mahama (then flagbearer of the NDC) in the 2012 elections, culminating in the seizure of his (Odike’s) vehicle by two members of the NDC at Golden Tulip in Kumasi.

The action of the NDC boys was necessitated by Odike’s recent attacks on the Mahama administration for its poor handling of the economy, among other issues.

The two – Francis Dodovi and Appiah Stadium – alleged that Mr. Addai, whilst he was the presidential candidate of the United Front Party in 2012, requested for a Toyota Hilux pickup from President Mahama with the firm assurance that he (Addai) was going to openly support him (Mahama) to win the polls, which he reportedly did not do, even though he had the vehicle.