FOUNDING President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has issued a blunt warning to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), cautioning against manipulating its internal leadership race in favour of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia following his defeat in the 2024 presidential election.
In a strongly worded statement, Mr. Cudjoe pointed out that the party faces growing internal dissent from formidable figures like Kennedy Agyapong, who secured a significant 38% of votes in the NPP’s 2023/2024 presidential primaries, despite alleged institutional support being thrown behind Dr. Bawumia.
Mr. Cudjoe also mentioned Agriculture Minister Dr. Bryan Acheampong as another powerful contender reportedly eyeing the party’s flagbearer slot, alongside other yet-to-declare stakeholders with substantial grassroots appeal.
He cautioned that any attempt to rig the process for Dr. Bawumia would spark open rebellion within the party. “Mistreating these candidates or cooking the process for Dr. Bawumia will have the aspirants making noise and speaking out,” he stressed, questioning whether the party has learned from its past electoral missteps.
Franklin Cudjoe criticised what he described as the NPP’s backward approach, stating: “They live in the past and in their own world… preparing to turn their leadership selection process on its head, making it candidate-first and party officers later.”
He further referenced his own earlier assertion that no presidential candidate who won a party primary with less than 64% had gone on to win a national election. “So can Bawumia pass the mark he previously failed to achieve, no matter the ‘cooking’ to be done?” he asked.
His remarks signal rising tensions within the NPP as it begins what could be a highly contentious leadership transition.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
