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Deputy Education Minister, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa has given currency to pictures making rounds on social media of the Presidential candidate of the opposition, New Patriotic Party (NPP) sleeping in parliament.

The picture which is spreading like wildfire shows Nana Addo dozing off while the President delivered the 2015 State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday.

And that Okudjeto insisted is a clear sign of an opposition leader who ‘lacked stamina’ and had gone to the Legislature to ‘take rest’.

NPP communicators however say the picture had been photoshopped and bloated to discredit the opposition leader.

Nana Addo who was sitting at the left corner of the public gallery of Parliament with his running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was acknowledged by the President in the middle of his speech.

While mocking the 72 year old for showing signs of fatigue and not physically fit to be President of the republic, the former student leader commended President John Mahama for standing throughout the period to deliver to the public.

Okudjeto Ablakwa said that marked the ‘sign of a President who had the stamina’ to run affairs in the country.

Speaking on Accra-based Radio Gold Saturday, he intimated that the issue of physical stamina would not have been an issue if Nana Addo had not claimed he was fit to run for President.

Opposition communicators have argued that Nana Addo’s ability to lead the ‘Won Gbo’ demonstration staged in Accra on 18th February indicated he was physically and medically fit for the position of President.

But the NDC communicators highlighting the picture of him sleeping had claimed he was just an ‘old man who is tired’ and must step down for a much younger person.

Vice President sleeping

The NPP in a rebuttal have also produced pictures of three separate NDC politicians fast asleep while the President read out his speech.

Vice President, Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur is seen with his hand supporting his chin leaning on the Vice Presidential chair and dozing off.

Trade Minister, Spio Gabrah is also seen dozing off while sitting in his chair.

What is interesting is how a communications expert at the Presidency, Sam George who had called the opposition leader a ‘Grandpa’ also fast asleep in the public gallery.

Ironically, he sat four persons away from Nana Addo in the public gallery.