2023-11-08 02:42:32
After his nomination as the ruling party’s candidate for the 2024 presidential election, Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia now faces the challenge of bringing his camp together. Because if he largely won the votes of the delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) last Saturday, once morest his main rival Kennedy Agyapong, Bawumia must consolidate his legitimacy, undermined by criticism of the opacity of the primary and allegations of bullying. The task of succeeding Nana Akufo-Addo at the head of the country therefore promises to be more difficult than expected.
Published on: 08/11/2023 – 03:42
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« I am committed to preserving the unity of the NPP “, declared the now candidate. To achieve this, Mahamudu Bawumia must reconcile the different camps within his party. First there is that of the influential former minister Alan Kyerematen. A dissident from the NPP, Kyerematen withdrew from the primaries, denouncing a process biased in favor of the current vice-president, Bawumia.
The latter comes from the Akyim ethnic group, just like President Nana Akufo-Addo. The Ghanaian head of state is accused by his detractors of favoring the Akyim in his administration, at the expense of the other main ethnic group: the Akan, represented by Alan Kyerematen. Traditionally, it was the Akan who dominated the ruling party in Ghana. Since then, the situation has changed. Dissatisfied, Kyerematena slammed the door of the NPP and will now present himself as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential election. A candidacy which risks costing Bawumia dearly at the polls, estimates Kobby Mensah, political analyst.
« It is clear that Alan Kyerematen will siphon off votes from the NPP, especially in the Ashanti region and other key regions. During the primaries, the party intimidated delegates into voting for Bawumia but for the general elections, it will be more difficult to intimidate people. This is where we will be able to measure the impact of Alan Kyerematen’s departure on the NPP’s chances for the presidential election. »
The other camp is represented by Kennedy Agyapong, the unsuccessful candidate during the primaries. With nearly 40% of the votes, he has bargaining power over Bawumia, experts estimate. For now, Agyapong has declared his intention to rally behind the vice president, it remains to be seen whether he will keep his word.
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