Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku has explained how his decision to contest the party’s 2007 presidential primary contributed to a strain in his relationship with former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Dr. Apraku said his relationship with the former President changed after he entered the NPP’s 2007 flagbearership contest, having previously worked closely with him.

Speaking at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, during the NPP’s National Delegates Congress and Officers’ elections, Dr. Apraku said he and Nana Akufo-Addo are neither friends nor enemies despite the differences that emerged between them.

He explained that he previously served as Nana Akufo-Addo’s campaign manager and described their working relationship at the time as a close and intensive one.

“I was his compaign manager and we worked like crazy and somehow, we did not win the first race and a lot of things happened in the interim as a result of that so I joined the race and this is where he and I have not been able to see well for each other. I cannot say we are friends but we are not enemies either. He is busy and I am busy.”

Dr. Apraku was among 17 aspirants who contested the NPP’s Special National Delegates Congress in December 2007 to elect the party’s presidential candidate for the 2008 general elections.

The contest featured several prominent members of the party, including Nana Akufo-Addo, Alan Kyerematen, Aliu Mahama, Yaw Osafo-Maafo and other senior party figures.

At the December 22, 2007 election, Nana Akufo-Addo secured 1,096 votes, representing 48 percent of the valid votes cast, to emerge as the NPP’s presidential candidate.

Alan Kyerematen placed second with 738 votes, while Dr. Apraku received 19 votes, representing 0.8 percent of the valid votes.