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A former Minister for Trade and Industry, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, has formally declared his intention to contest the New Patriotic Party's flagbearership slot, ahead of the 2016 general elections. The former Member of Parliament for Offinso North in the Ashanti Region thus becomes the first, to officially indicate plans to lead the opposition party into the next elections. It will be his second attempt after the 2007 presidential primary, which saw Nana Akufo-Addo emerged out of the 16 aspirants, to lead the NPP in the 2008 polls. Meanwhile, Dr. Konadu Apraku has denied claim by some party supporters to the effect that, he misappropriated funds meant to support the campaign of 2012 presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo. A statement issued Wednesday by Odiamon Kwadwo Abobra, aide to Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, denied the allegation. "I want to state categorically that Akufo-Addo has not given me any money, not even one cedi in respect of security meetings held after the Dec. 7th 2012 general elections. "Luckily for us all, Akufo-Addo is alive and can be contacted if he has given me any money. I have not received any money from Akufo-Addo," the statement said. He described the allegation as a scheme "well calculated by some desperate persons of the New Patriotic Party to tarnish my image". "Their hatred is that they feel threatened in my decision to run for the flagbearership slot of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2016 general elections. As a result, some snake tongue persons within the party have been hired to detract me from pursuing my agenda. But they will not succeed."