We go by Supreme Court's decision — Spokesmen
Date: Aug 30 , 2013 , 02:00
The Spokesperson for the respondents in the presidential election petition, Nana Ato Dadzie, has described the Supreme Court's judgement on the case as a victory for all Ghanaians.
He said although it was the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that won the court case the victory was for the whole of Ghana.
"It is Ghana that has won," he said to journalists shortly after the verdict, and urged NDC supporters to be responsible in their jubilation.
"This victory is for all Ghanaians, it is not for NDC people alone. We are all our brothers' keepers and we are one people," he stressed.
Mr Dadzie described the petitioners as "our friends", noting that they had done well but like sportsmen they had to take the defeat in good faith.
He said once there would be another election, the NPP could try its luck next time.
"Good luck to them but for now the Supreme Court has pronounced that the NDC has won the case. Mr John Mahama remains validly elected as President of the Republic of Ghana and I expect that everybody will now put his hand to the wheel".
Petitioners' spokesman
The spokesperson for the petitioners, Mr Akoto Ampaw, said what was clear was the court's decision that President John Dramani Mahama was validly elected, and the petition was accordingly dismissed.
"That is the decision of the court. In terms of the specifics, we would need to study the written addresses and the summary that the President of the panel delivered. For now that is what we can say."
On commendation of the party for the efforts it made in going to court, he said, that was fairly normal.
Mr Ampaw said he had no doubt that the case had raised very serious issues about accountability, as well as the need for the electoral process to be free of all violations.
"It is our expectation that going forward, there would be the necessary reforms. For now we can only say that this was a final indication of the court's decision.
"We would be looking at the written opinion of the nine justices and then the petitioners would advise themselves accordingly," he said.
Lawyer for President Mahama
For his part, President Mahama's counsel, Mr Tony Lithur, said, "we are happy for the outcome and we look forward to a united country".
Lawyer for NDC
Lawyer for the NDC, Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, commended the volunteers who aided the legal team of the NDC, particularly on the issue of the number of pink sheets.
On December 28, 2012, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the NPP flag bearer for Election 2012, his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the National Chairman of the NPP, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, filed the petition at the Supreme Court challenging the declaration of President John Dramani Mahama as winner of the election.
By Emmanuel Bonney & Fred Dzakpata/Daily Graphic/Ghana