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Deep throat sources within the NPP have revealed that the Institute of Economic Affairs, IEA was compelled to postpone the Evening Encounter with NPP flagbearer Nana Akufo Addo after a passionate appeal from his managers.

This followed an unplanned tour of the Eastern region last week. According to the source close to the corridors of the Nima Flagstaff House, the NPP Flagbearer was fully prepared and conditioned for the Tuesday encounter but was advised to call for its postponement for fear of fatigue after a decision to embark on a tour of the Eastern region.

The tour according to our informant was intended to equalize President John Mahama’s Accounting to the People Tour of the Ashanti region, NPP’s stronghold.

“Nana Addo’s camp did not anticipate the massive turnout to welcome the President after the negative propaganda to taint him as incompetent and corrupt. The pictures splashed on social media obviously was going to send wrong signals to supporters at the grassroots level and even to out potential donors. So we had to make a quick move” the source added.

This newspaper learnt the strategy was to visit know strongholds to marshal supporters to turn out in their numbers to equal the publications online.

It will be recalled that President Mahama who arrived in Kumasi last Tuesday, first visited Asawase, a known safe ground for the governing party in the heart of the Ashanti regional capital. The hundreds who lined up the streets and the overwhelming acknowledgement of his good works after inspecting the Kejetia market and other massive projects including the Military Hospital under construction in Kumasi sent shivers down the spine of the NPP campaign team which is banking its hope on votes from its two traditional regions.

The deep throat source claims Nana Addo is embarking on a strategic campaign since funds are scarce and the 72-year old twice defeated Presidential hopeful is not too strong.

The plan is for him to visit known strongholds across the country and make as he put it “a lot of noise on radio” to give hope to its supporters.

The unexpected Eastern region tour therefore had a lot of strain on Nana Akufo Addo who needed enough rest to be able to appear convincing at the IEA encounter.

Nana Akufo-Addo was initially scheduled to take his turn on the IEA platform on July 5.

However, the IEA on its twitter page said: “Our Evening Encounter with Hon. Nana Akufo-Addo has been postponed to a later date.”

Without giving any reason for the re-schedule, the IEA said the new date will be announced soon.

The tweet came at a time rumors were rife that Nana Akufo Addo tripped and fell at Aburi Chief’s Palace.

The NPP flagbearer is going through a tough campaign after disintegrating the party hierarchy.

The Chairman, Paul Afoko, General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong and Vice Chairman, Sammy Crabbe have virtually been sacked under his watch while some key founding members including Kwadwo Mpiani, Dr Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe and Dr Wereko Brobbey have been sidelined.

Two weeks ago, Minority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu confirmed on Bola Ray Starr Chat that the party is broke because of donor fatigue.

The presidential candidates of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr. Edward Mahama and Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, have already taken their turn on the platform over the past two weeks.

The IEA Evening Encounter series is a platform designed for political parties and their Flagbearers to interact with a cross-section of Ghanaians through Civil Society and other interest-group representation ahead of the general elections.