The Bureau of National Investigations, (BNI) has denied ever conducting any poll on the popularity of the presidential aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The Ghanaian Observer newspaper reported on Wednesday that a nationwide survey by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) conducted in the last three months has put Abuakwa South MP, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo up as the man to beat in the race to succeed President J. A. Kufuor.

The survey, according to the Ghanaian Observer, was commissioned by the national security apparatus.

The results of the BNI survey, according to the paper, put Nana Akufo-Addo in a comfortable lead with Alan 'Cash' Kyeremanten in second position. Veep Aliu Mahama is in third position.

One of the nationwide BNI surveys (Eastern Regional BNI Report) which is dated 2nd August, 2007, and has been sent as a memorandum from the Eastern Regional Bureau of the BNI to the Director of BNI under the subject RE: ASSESSMENT OF ALL NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY (NPP) PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS gives Akufo-Addo 30 percent support in the region.

However, BNI officials who spoke to Joy News off record have said no such poll had been conducted by the BNI.

This response is coming in the face of public reactions to the poll.

Some political observers have criticized the BNI for wasting public funds on an otherwise unnecessary venture.

Others also questioned the mandate of the BNI with respect to conducting public polls on political party presidential aspirants as against their core functions of securing the state.

Meanwhile, the Editor-in-Chief of the Ghanaian Observer newspaper, Egbert Faibille has told Joy News that he stands by his report, claiming that he has copies of the poll results in his possession.

When Joy News however, asked to see the said report, he declined and said he was not obliged to submit the report to Joy FM, which is also a media house for verification.