Who Romps Home In NPP Primaries?

Francis Addai-Nimoh, MP for Mampong, Dr. Owusu-Afriyie Akoto, former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, MP for Assin Central and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President.

Come Saturday, November 4, 2023, and the New Patriotic Party will go for the primaries to elect the presidential candidate of the party.

There are four contestants: Francis Addai-Nimoh, MP for Mampong, Dr. Owusu-Afriyie Akoto, former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, MP for Assin Central and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President.

The past few months have been a hectic time for the candidates to do a lot of campaigning to win the hearts of the electorate.

Much dust has been thrown into the fray, leaving the electorate wondering what is going to happen on the D-Day. Not much has been heard from the Addai Nimoh Camp, but in the Owusu Afriyie Akoto camp, we have heard a little. He is the son of the UP tradition icon, Baffuor Akoto (read the Re: Akoto lectures). Owusu Afriyie Akoto laments the lack of openness and fairness in the treatment of all the contestants. He doubts if the centre of the NPP will hold again after the contest.

Perhaps the one who has talked toughest and has been battered for most of the time is Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong described as “firebrand MP”. He has threatened a “showdown” with Dr. Bawumia, and his latest tale is that, he had been offered US$800 million to withdraw from the presidential primaries. He did not name names – but it is so glaring who is receiving the salvos.

Kennedy “reveals” in an interview on Kumasi – based Time FM last Sunday: “Does he know the number of people who have approached me but for the love of Ghana and the delegates, I have said I will never do it. The money they offered is $800 million if he doesn't know. He should ask Mr. Oppong Bio if that is what they are saying, but I said 'no', I will not step down, Ghana first. In 2016, you people were not able to buy Pick-ups. How come today you are able to offer me $800 million, so I said I won't step down”.

The Bawumia Campaign Team has refuted this allegation. In a Statement, Dr. Gideon Boako, spokesperson for the Bawumia Campaign Team described the claim by Hon. Ohene Agyapong as ridiculous, and it shows gross disrespect for the intelligence of Ghanaians, “It is instructive to note that the latest allegation is a rehash of a similar allegation he made about a month ago, claiming without proof, that he was offered money to step down and be a running mate to Dr. Bawumia, a baseless claim we publicly denied on September 20, 2023.”

Dr. Gideon Boako continued, “The Vice-President is a man noted for his modesty and he remains committed to his life- long values of serving people with his intellect”. The statement asked the public to “disregard such outrageous lies directed subtly at the Bawumia Campaign, we also reiterate Dr. Bawumia's commitment to running a decent campaign devoid of personality attacks, lies and insults to preserve the unity of our great party”.

Meanwhile, Gabby Otchere-Darko a leading member of the NPP has issued a statement, saying, “… The NPP that we know, once the party speaks and a new leader with his new direction is chosen, the party will rally around him and support him… So, if you are a member or sympathizer, don't be illusioned by some of the unfettered expression of harsh views, however, critical, as jaundiced or ungrateful as they may sound, he NPP tolerates and even encourages dissent, including ones most caustic and undeserving. Some of those who were only yesterday, major beneficiaries of the party's electoral fortunes and were tasked with the leadership responsibilities of helping the President to deliver on his mandate can be heard today, leading to a crescendo that sounds like a chorus of doom. This may give the impression of disunity but no, it is what the NPP has always been, especially in periods of transition. Free expression, is indeed the blood that flows through the veins of the elephant.

“In fact, when the party was being formed over three decades ago, the other symbol or motto they considered at the time and nearly settled on was “Ti koro nko agyina”, meaning a constructive meeting of minds calls for heads of varying perspectives. The NPP is a party of activists and not spectators. It is a family of active and not passive voices. In spite of all the challenges it is facing, the NPP must stay true to its motto: “Development in Freedom”.

The Research organisations have been activated. The Centre for Sustainable African Development Initiatives (C-SADI) has predicted more than 80% win for Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. The research, conducted jointly with a Ghanaian – based organization, The Outcomes International has predicted Bawumia will win 88.8%. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong will secure a paltry 10.4% of the votes, with Owusu Afriyie Akoto garnering 1.1% and Francis Addai Nimoh bagging 0.4%.

Fieldwork for the study was carried between October 10 and 20, 2023. The research used multi-stage probability proportional to size sampling (PPS) with implicit stratification. According to the report, 7.3% of the delegates were undecided, but the main reason for the choice of Bawumia is his vision for the party, and the way he has comported himself throughout the campaign: no insults, no intimidation and no threats. He has the ability to win the 2024 general election for the NPP, and the NPP stands a good chance to “break the 8”.

Other researchers have tipped Kennedy Ohene Agyapong of causing a stir- some giving him a 4% edge over Dr. Bawumia. Ivy, looking through the horoscope says, “Why do people worry themselves: don't they see the votes have been cast already? Who dares face the Establishment candidate, and who wants to lose his job? We say, “Vote wisely, and may the best man win”.

Africanus Owusu-Ansah
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