Former Assin Central MP and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong, has emphasized that the NPP does not give second chances to flagbearers who perform poorly in national elections. He made these remarks during a gathering at Mampong in the Ashanti Region, where he had gone to pay tribute to the late Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu.
Addressing party members and grassroots supporters, Agyapong reaffirmed the NPP’s longstanding tradition of promoting candidates based on performance, not sentiment. He noted that the party’s leadership choices have historically been influenced by electoral results, not favoritism.
Referring specifically to the party’s 2024 flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Agyapong criticized his performance in the recent general elections, describing it as “abysmal.”
According to Agyapong, such a showing should disqualify Bawumia from being considered for a second shot at leading the party into future elections.
He also dismissed the claim that the NPP has always given its presidential candidates more than one opportunity. As evidence, he cited the case of the late Prof. Albert Adu Boahen, who, despite his pivotal role in the party’s development, was not re-nominated after the 1992 elections.
“Prof. Adu Boahen was a pioneer in resisting military dictatorship and played a significant role in the re-emergence of multiparty democracy. Yet, after his defeat in 1992, he was replaced. That tells you that our party is serious about performance,” he stated.
In contrast, Agyapong acknowledged that former presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo were given second chances, not due to party loyalty alone, but because they demonstrated strong electoral potential in their initial bids.
“Kufuor had only a few months to campaign in 1996, yet his performance was impressive enough to earn him another chance in 2000. That is the NPP’s standard performance,” he added.
Agyapong’s comments underscore ongoing discussions within the NPP about the party’s leadership direction ahead of future elections.
