NPP flagbearership race: Akufo-Addo not endorsing Alan Kyerematen a betrayal of sacrifice – Buaben Asamoa
Former Member of Parliament for Adentan, Yaw Buaben Asamoa has expressed his disappointment in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over what he describes as a betrayal to former Trade Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen.
In an interview on Kumasi-based Wontumi TV, the former lawmaker recalled the party’s 2007 presidential primaries, which had 17 contestants. He added that the election ended with no one gaining the required 50% plus one vote.
He stated that Mr. Kyerematen, having the party at heart and caring about unity, willingly stepped down to make the Akufo-Addo the flagbearer of the NPP at the time a run-off was about to be held.
“Alan sacrificed it for Akufo-Addo, saying, my senior brother Nana Addo, I have given you the go-ahead. So, go and contest for the presidency so that the unity among us and the party will be stronger and for us to win the elections as well so I am sacrificing for you,” he said.
However, Mr. Buaben Asamoa expressed his disappointment that the President is not endorsing Mr. Kyerematen, despite his previous promise to support him after his tenure.
He believes that it is a betrayal of the sacrifices made by Mr. Kyerematen to make the President the party’s flagbearer indicating that he should have publicly endorsed him.
“His senior brother’s (Akufo-Addo) time is up, and he is about to leave. We have heard that he has mounted behind a different candidate to come and contest, and the party is saying that as tradition demands, like we used to do in the olden days as we did for you, President, and in your own words, you said after Alan sacrificed for you, he has done well, in his own words, so in the future when you complete your tenure, you will allow Alan to continue because it will be his time,” he bemoaned.
“… and we left everything and supported you. But now that it is time for you to act according to the norms, the same thing that you complained about Kufour doing to you, today you are….” he continued.
Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyeremateng, who has previously run for the NPP’s flagbearership three times, is now facing strong opposition from Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, former Agric Minister Dr. Akoto Owusu Afriyie, Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, the party’s former General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyapong and others.