Kwasi Kwarteng, a member of former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong’s campaign team, has downplayed reports that about 60 New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament have declared their support for former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
According to him, the figure cannot be accurate, citing a viral video from the meeting as evidence.
In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, the former spokesperson for the Education Ministry cautioned the lawmakers to tread carefully, questioning Dr. Bawumia’s performance in the 2024 elections—even as an “establishment” candidate.
He noted that the party’s grassroots base is upset, and public declarations by MPs may further aggravate the situation.
“What is the purpose and intent of all these things? This was the same thing we did during the 2024 election—busing people around, rejecting claims of apathy due to underdevelopment.
“We dismissed everything, claiming the party and Bawumia had the support. How did that end? We had government appointees, MPs, all executives aligned to support Dr. Bawumia, but we lost by a margin of 1.7 million votes,” he stated.
So far, four prominent party figures have declared their intention to contest the NPP flagbearer slot, although nominations are yet to be officially opened.
They include Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Minister for Food and Agriculture Bryan Acheampong, and Minister for Education Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.
On Thursday, June 19, 2025, over 60 out of the 88 NPP MPs reportedly visited Dr. Bawumia’s office to declare their support for his bid.
However, Mr. Kwarteng questioned the impact of the gesture, claiming that Kennedy Agyapong’s camp also has the backing of more than 50 MPs.
“I don’t have the permission of the over 50 MPs to put their names out there, but at the right time, we will. I was hoping they [Bawumia’s team] could also name all their 60 members—then we would have seen the number of disclaimers that would have come out by tomorrow,” he added.
He stressed that the power to choose the party’s next flagbearer lies with the grassroots, not party elites.
“For us, we believe that sovereignty resides with the people. It cannot be said that the over 200,000 delegates or polling station executives can have their conscience sacrificed at the altar of a few people,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the NPP has scheduled January 31, 2026, for its presidential primaries to elect a candidate for the 2028 general elections.
The decision was endorsed by the party’s National Council at a crucial meeting held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in accordance with Article 13(1)(1) of the NPP Constitution.
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