The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is urging former President John Dramani Mahama to accept the Supreme Court's verdict on the election petition filed against President Akufo-Addo and the Electoral Commission.

According to the party, the 2020 Presidential Candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) can demonstrate his statesmanship by also calling President Akufo-Addo to congratulate him.

In a statement signed by General Secretary, John Boadu, the NPP argued that although President Akufo-Addo, then in opposition lost the 2012 election petition after his defeat in the December 7, 2012 polls, he accepted the judgment by the apex court in order to ensure peace prevails.

"This singular act of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo did not only reaffirm his longstanding fidelity to the rule of law as a consummate democrat, and to his country and citizens, but also earned him and the country international accolades and plaudits," the statement added.

Mr. Boadu said it was unfortunate that former President John Dramani Mahama will hold a press conference to incite disaffection for the judiciary and the Electoral Commission among Ghanaians.

"As indicated, many had expected John Mahama to take advantage of similar situation on March 4, to prove his commitment to democratic tenets, but that never happened, unfortunately.

"Instead, John Mahama would rather hold a press conference to unleash invectives and unprovoked attacks on the judiciary and the election management body much to the chagrin of democratic observers and the generality of the Ghanaian people." 

The statement by the NPP comes on the back of a press briefing by the petitioner in the just-ended election petition.

While expressing his disappointment in the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision to dismiss his election petition, Mr. Mahama said his defeat came as no surprise as the apex court had denied many of the applications filed by his legal team.

Again, the NDC flagbearer had alleged that his quest to hold the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Jean Mensa accountable for the electoral anomalies were blocked by a protective cordon and firewall.

“Much as I am aware that we are legally bound by the decision of the highest Court of the land the Supreme Court of Ghana, I disagree with the process of the trial and the ruling of the court,” he stated emphatically.

But General Secretary, John Boadu said while the former President may have "lost an opportunity to repeat the enviable feat achieved by President Akufo-Addo in 2012 and get his name written in the history books of consummate and patriotic democrats, it is certainly not too late for him to right the wrong.

"It is on account of this that the NPP is calling on the former President, John Dramani Mahama, to do the needful in the collective interest of our nation," he added.

Click HERE for the full statement.