Kwasi Kwarteng, the spokesperson for Kennedy Agyapong’s campaign, has launched a scathing critique against the New Patriotic Party (NPP) leadership, accusing them of orchestrating a biased internal campaign to solidify Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s position as the party’s flagbearer for the 2028 elections. Kwarteng’s primary grievance stems from the alleged preferential treatment afforded to Bawumia during the recent nomination filing process, where the NPP’s official social media platforms exclusively streamed Bawumia’s activities, while neglecting to provide similar coverage for other aspirants. This perceived bias, according to Kwarteng, is a clear indication of the party’s intent to impose Bawumia on the party base, a strategy he argues replicates the very practices that contributed to the NPP’s dismal performance in the 2024 general elections.
Kwarteng’s accusations extend beyond mere preferential treatment on social media. He points to Dr. Bawumia’s leadership as the flagbearer in the 2024 elections as the root cause of the party’s “worst results in history.” He highlights a significant decline in national votes, a substantial drop in support from both northern and southern regions, and a particularly concerning collapse of support within Zongo communities – traditionally a stronghold for the NPP. These electoral setbacks, Kwarteng argues, directly implicate Bawumia’s leadership and raise serious questions about his suitability to lead the party in future elections. He contends that the party’s focus on promoting Bawumia at the expense of other candidates is a misguided strategy that will further alienate the grassroots and jeopardize the party’s future prospects.
The spokesperson emphasizes that genuine unity within the party cannot be achieved if the official party machinery, including its social media platforms, are utilized as tools for promoting a single candidate. The selective coverage of Bawumia’s nomination filing, according to Kwarteng, is a blatant betrayal of the very unity that the national leadership claims to champion. He argues that such actions create a perception of unfairness and undermine the democratic principles that should govern the party’s internal processes. By prioritizing Bawumia’s candidacy, the party leadership risks alienating other potential leaders and their supporters, exacerbating internal divisions and weakening the party’s overall strength.
Furthermore, Kwarteng accuses the NPP leadership of engaging in a systematic and deliberate effort to manipulate the internal race in Bawumia’s favor. These accusations, if substantiated, paint a picture of a party leadership more concerned with maintaining control and promoting a pre-determined candidate than with fostering a fair and transparent internal election process. This alleged manipulation, according to Kwarteng, could compel other candidates to take matters into their own hands, potentially leading to further fragmentation within the party. Such a scenario would undoubtedly weaken the NPP’s ability to present a united front in future elections and diminish its chances of regaining power.
Kwarteng’s warning carries a serious tone, suggesting that the grassroots of the party will not remain passive observers while the party’s future is compromised for the benefit of a single individual. This statement underscores the growing discontent within the party ranks and the potential for a backlash against the leadership’s perceived favoritism. The grassroots members, according to Kwarteng, will not tolerate being sidelined in the decision-making process and will actively resist any attempts to impose a candidate upon them. This potential for internal rebellion poses a significant threat to the party’s stability and its ability to effectively mobilize support for future elections.
In essence, Kwarteng’s accusations represent a significant challenge to the NPP leadership and their handling of the party’s internal affairs. His criticisms highlight concerns about fairness, transparency, and the potential for damaging divisions within the party. The selective promotion of Bawumia, the alleged manipulation of the internal race, and the disregard for the concerns of the grassroots, all point to a deeper malaise within the NPP. Unless these issues are addressed effectively, the party risks further alienating its base and jeopardizing its future electoral prospects. The party leadership must take these accusations seriously and engage in open and transparent dialogue to rebuild trust and ensure a fair and democratic process for selecting its next leader.
