I won’t quit NPP, I back Bawumia – Kennedy Agyapong

Firebrand politician, Kennedy Agyapong, who obtained 37.41% of valid votes cast that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag-bearer primaries held last Saturday has officially announced that he is throwing his weight and support behind Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia who obtained 61.47% of valid votes cast to emerge as the Party’s 2024 presidential candidate.

“I pledge my support that we are going to work tirelessly to break the eight. So party members that we are here, we should put everything behind us and let us unite this party. With unity, I believe we can break the eight and that is alI have been preaching.

“I want to assure you that in 2024 the showdown in being translated to the NDC. We have to come together to give the NDC a showdown”, Mr. Agyapong announced in a speech he delivered in Accra after the Electoral Commission has officially announced the certified results of the primaries.

Mr. Agyapong also confirmed his satisfaction with the integrity of the polls: “Indeed it is a great day today.  I believe the party has been fair and transparent.  That is the only thing I have always been preaching. And I must admit this election is fair and my grass roots have spoken and therefore I accept the results in good faith.”

The public announcement by Mr. Agyapong puts to rest speculations that he would not accept the results of the polls if he did not emerge winner and could even quit the party to pursue his ambition on another platform.

Results

Dr. Bawumia had a total of  118,210 votes representing 61.47%, to beat Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central who had 71,996 votes representing 37.41%.

The two other aspirants, Former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie-Akoto obtained a total of  1,459 votes representing 0.76% while Francis Addai-Nimoh polled a total of 781 votes representing 0.41%.

All the aspirants have so far congratulated Dr. Bawumia and pledged to work with him to ensure  the party wins the 2024 general elections.

Bawumia Speaks

In his address at a brief ceremony held in Accra to officially announced certified results of the primaries, Dr. Bawumia expressed gratitude to the party and said his election as flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) as the greatest honour of his life.

The Vice President was optimistic that with the requisite hard work and unity of purpose, the party is most likely to win the December 2024 general elections.

Dr. Bawumia called for a united front and announced his willingness and preperedness to work with all aspirants:

“Now let us join together. I am determined to work with all of them and all our supporters to achieve the Party’s ambition of “Breaking the 8”. That ambition requires the participation of all the aspirants including Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Dr. Akoto Afriyie, Boakye Agyarko, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Hon. Joe Ghartey, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Addai Nimo and Kojo Poku.

“There are those who would say we are divided as a party, but I am here to tell them that it couldn’t be less true. The NPP is a thriving democracy, where leaders are elected, not anointed, and I salute my fellow competitors in this race for 5 partaking in this crucial process. While our plans may differ at times, our visions are aligned – we share a passion for Ghana and a firm conviction that the NPP is the only party that can transform her.

“The New Patriotic Party will enter 2024 united and energised. We are ready to make a strong and convincing case for another term in office with a fresh mandate and a new leader”, Dr. Bawumia added.