Kwasi Kwarteng, spokesperson for Kennedy Agyapong, has claimed that more than half of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) have pledged their support to Agyapong’s bid to contest the party’s presidential flagbearership for the 2024 elections.
Kwarteng’s statement follows a high-profile endorsement event held on June 19, where over 60 NPP MPs reportedly visited the office of the party’s current vice president and 2024 presidential flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to express their backing for his candidacy.
Speaking on the Ekosiisen program on Asempa FM monitored by Kumasimail, Kwarteng emphasized that his team has held private meetings with MPs, during which more than 50 parliamentarians assured their support for Kennedy Agyapong’s presidential ambitions.
“What I know on authority is that MPs we met in closed-door sessions have given us assurances. Attending programs and meetings with us, they represent more than half of the current NPP MPs in Parliament,” Kwarteng said.
He cautioned, however, against oversimplifying the numbers.
“It would be simplistic to say I have met 50 MPs who pledged allegiance and therefore I have the majority. Politics is fluid. For example, if the vice president has 26 MPs and others say 60 MPs support him, these numbers can shift before the actual polls.”
Kwarteng underscored the dynamic nature of political support, noting that even pledged MPs may change their stance as the election approaches.
“Though more than 50 MPs have pledged allegiance to us, we must continue engaging with them because people’s minds can change.”
He also revealed that he is currently not authorized to publicly disclose the names of MPs who have pledged support to Agyapong.
“All meetings with MPs have been private, aside from those who accompany Hon. Ken to public programs. We have six months to the election, and we will know who openly supports whom in due course.”
Addressing the claim that over 60 MPs have endorsed Dr. Bawumia, Kwarteng said, “As of now, we have not received full details of those 60 MPs. I expected a list to be presented, which would have clarified the numbers and allowed for any disclaimers.”
Kwarteng concluded by reflecting on the party’s internal processes, highlighting the National Council’s decision to adopt a top-down approach to the flagbearer selection.
“This is why many were initially against the top-down method, but in the wisdom of the National Council, they saw it as the best approach given the party’s current standing.”
Source : www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
