Odike Withdraws From Presidential Race

The flagbearer of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Akwasi Addai Odike has withdrawn his nomination from the December 7 polls few days to the election.

The decision comes a day after his party reminded the Electoral Commission of a pending case in court challenging the eligibility of Mr. Odike to contest in the race. Some executives of the UPP dragged Mr. Odike to court in September 2016 to prevent him from filing his nomination forms.

But speaking to the media on Wednesday, Mr. Odike said his reasons from withdrawing from the race are “personal.”

A separate letter to the EC by Mr. Odike’s lawyers stated that “we regret to notify you of his decision to withdraw his nomination filing on October 29, 2016 to contest the impending presidential elections.”

UPP still fighting Odike in court for picking nomination form On Tuesday, it emerged that the UPP was still fighting Akwasi Addai Odike in court, for picking nomination forms to contest in the upcoming general elections.

Some executives of the UPP dragged Mr. Odike to court in September 2016, to prevent him from filling nomination forms to contest as the party’s presidential candidate. A letter dated November 8, 2016, from lawyers of the UPP to the EC, reminded the commission about the court case.

The letter sighted by citifmonline.com read: “we have the instruction of our clients to bring to your notice that the suit instituted on the 28/9/2016 challenging the Membership and capacity of Mr. Akwasi Addai Odike as flagbearer for the United Progressive Party is currently pending before the court for a determination.”