The 2008 Vice-Presidential candidate of the Convention People's Party, Dr Abu Sakara has been elected flagbearer of the party for the 2012 presidential elections. Dr Sakara polled 1,130 votes, representing 55.2 per cent of the total votes cast, to beat his only challenger for the slot, Mr Bright Akwetey who garnered 917 votes - representing 44.8 per cent of the vote - making the contest quite a close one. The CPP went to Congress at Sekondi-Takoradi Saturday to elect a presidential candidate after the 2008 flagbearer of the party, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom broke out to form his own political party, the Progressive People's Party. It remains to be seen whether the agriculturalist can turn the persistent dwindling electoral fortunes of the CPP around. Currently, the party has one Member of Parliament in Samia Nkrumah of the Jomoro Constituency of the Western Region who also doubles as the National Chairperson of the CPP. In an apparent recognition of the uphill task facing the party, coupled with the divisions and the threat posed by Dr Nduom's PPP, Dr Sakara delivered a conciliatory victory speech admonishing party supporters to close their ranks ahead of the December polls. He had kind words for the vanquished, Mr Akwetey and his supporters and praised him “for his generosity and his hard fought contest.” His battle-cry is a positive attitude and a can-win mentality for all CPP supporters.