"I don’t hate Akufo-Addo" “He’s my brother” - Alan told delegates as he officially launched his campaign in Accra Presidential hopeful, Alan Kyeremanten, has said he does not “hate” his arch-contender in the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearership race, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, two-time presidential candidate of the party. “He’s my brother”, Alan told delegates in Accra as he officially launched his campaign. The former Ambassador to the US and Akufo-Addo are two of five aspirants who made it to the second phase of the contest following the August 31 super delegates’ congress, which whittled down the number of contenders from seven to five. The other successful candidates include MPs Francis Addai-Nimoh, Joe Ghartey, and Kofi Osei-Ameyaw. The last two have voluntarily opted out of the race. However, Kyeremanten and Addai-Nimoh are intent on going the whole hog, despite calls on them by some elders of the party, to opt out and allow Akufo-Addo, who had more than 80 percent of votes cast in the first race, to go unchallenged. Launching his campaign Saturday, Kyeremanten told Delegates and supporters of the party that he and the former Attorney General are on good terms, but just engaging each other in a healthy competition for the flagbearer slot. He said whoever wins the race must get the support of the other. Meanwhile, Presidential hopeful, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will occupy the number one spot on the ballot paper when the opposition New Patriotic Party goes to congress on October 18, 2014. This was after the party conducted a balloting exercise on Friday for the three aspirants, who were shortlisted by the Super Delegates last month to contest the flagbearership position ahead of the 2016 general elections. Addai Nimoh, the Member of Parliament for Mampong secured the second slot whiles former Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen got the third spot. A statement signed by NPP's General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong reminded the aspirants, their spokespersons and agents to strictly respect and abide by the rules and regulations governing the presidential primaries. Below is the full statement from the NPP announcing the results of the balloting: Press Release The New Patriotic Party today conducted balloting for the three Presidential Aspirants who have indicated their desire to continue with the process to elect the flagbearer of the Party scheduled for the 18th October 2014. The results of the balloting are: 1. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo – First on the Ballot. 2. Hon Francis Addai Nimoh – Second on the Ballot 3. Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen – Third on the Ballot. We wish to remind all aspirants, their Spokespersons, Agents and assigns to STRICTLY RESPECT, ABIDE BY THE GUIDELINES, RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING the presidential primaries. Further guidelines will be communicated in due course Kwabena Agyei Agepong General Secretary