Former Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, has downplayed the significance of the recent endorsement of former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia by over 60 New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs), describing it as “cosmetic” and politically calculated.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show, Mr. Appiah-Kubi said he was not surprised by the development, insisting that the turnout of MPs did not necessarily reflect genuine support for Dr. Bawumia.
“I was not surprised at all. The fact that many people were there doesn’t mean they all support him.”
On Thursday, June 20, about 67 NPP MPs visited Dr. Bawumia at his office in Accra to formally declare their support for his presidential bid.
However, Mr. Appiah-Kubi believes many of them attended only out of obligation or pressure.
“Some of the MPs told me personally that the meeting was cosmetic. They were called and told that Dr. Bawumia wanted to meet them. At that point, you can’t say no. But that doesn’t mean they support him” he said.
The former lawmaker added that political optics often mislead the public, recalling a similar incident involving Kennedy Agyapong years ago.
“I remember when Kennedy Agyapong also called on some MPs while seeking to be flagbearer. Many went to meet him, even though they didn’t support him—and Ken himself knew this,” he said.
According to Mr. Appiah-Kubi, more than half of the MPs who showed up at Dr. Bawumia’s meeting do not actually back him.
“If you say that all those people support him, then you don’t understand the work of a politician. Most of them only went because they were called to join the group” he stressed.
He said he had personally spoken to at least four MPs who confirmed they did not back the Vice President but joined the meeting out of political courtesy.
“The truth is hard for Ghanaians. People are afraid to speak openly, so they follow the crowd even when they don’t believe in it. That’s what is pulling us back” he said.
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