The camp of former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has responded to remarks by New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who warned that the party risks remaining in opposition for the next 12 years if Dr. Bawumia is allowed to lead it into the 2028 general elections.
Mr. Agyapong, in his latest comments, urged delegates to reject any bid for a comeback by candidates who had previously led the party to electoral defeat.
However, in an interview with Starr News, an aide to the former Vice President, Kwesi Botchwey Jnr., dismissed the statement as “unfounded and divisive,” insisting that Dr. Bawumia remains the NPP’s strongest candidate for 2028.
“It’s a very unfortunate comment. I don’t know his basis for making such a statement. But if it’s because Dr. Bawumia lost the 2024 polls, then by that logic, it would take Kennedy Agyapong about 24 to 30 years to become President – or perhaps, he may never become President at all,” he said.
He argued that Dr. Bawumia’s political track record makes him the party’s most experienced and tested leader.
“In the last NPP primaries, Dr. Bawumia decisively beat Kennedy, polling about 69 percent to his 33 or 34 percent. Dr. Bawumia then went into a national election and obtained 41.9 percent. Kennedy, on the other hand, has never been a presidential candidate or participated in any presidential election,” Mr. Botchwey noted.
He recounted Dr. Bawumia’s long service to the NPP, highlighting his contributions to the party’s electoral efforts since 2008.
“Dr. Bawumia has been part of every presidential campaign since 2008. In 2012, he distinguished himself during the election petition case before the Supreme Court. In 2016, he became Vice President, served in that role until 2024, and later led the NPP as its presidential candidate. He is the only politician in the party today with such a consistent political trajectory,” he said.
Mr. Botchwey concluded that, based on experience and service, Dr. Bawumia remains the NPP’s best option to reclaim power in 2028.
“So, if Kennedy Agyapong thinks that someone with such a record would take 12 years to become President, then someone like him – who has no presidential record – would take even longer,” he added.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Benjamin Sackey
