I can’t say Akufo-Addo and I are friends, but we’re not enemies – Konadu Apraku

Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku has opened up about how his decision to challenge Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the party’s 2007 presidential primary affected their once-close working relationship.

Dr Apraku, who previously served as Mr Akufo-Addo’s campaign manager, said their relationship changed after he decided to enter the flagbearership race following an unsuccessful attempt to secure victory in an earlier contest.

Speaking to Accra-based Citi News at the NPP’s National Delegates Conference at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday, Dr Apraku said the two had since maintained their distance but were not enemies.

“I was his campaign manager, and we worked like crazy, and somehow, we did not win the first race and a lot of things happened in the interim as a result of that, so I joined the race, and this is where he and I have not been able to see well for each other. I cannot say we are friends, but we are not enemies either. He is busy and I am busy.”

Dr Apraku was among 17 aspirants who contested the NPP’s Special National Delegates Congress in December 2007 to select the party’s presidential candidate for the 2008 general election.

The contest featured several prominent party figures, including Mr Akufo-Addo, Alan Kyerematen, former Vice-President Aliu Mahama and Yaw Osafo-Maafo.

At the December 22, 2007 election, Mr Akufo-Addo secured 1,096 votes, representing 48 per cent of valid votes cast, to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.

Mr Kyerematen finished second with 738 votes, while Dr Apraku polled 19 votes, representing 0.8 per cent of the valid votes.

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