Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has openly admitted his apprehension leading up to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential Primaries.
His concern was rooted in the potential for significant internal divisions if unresolved issues were not addressed, which is why he had previously advocated for a consensus to avoid the primaries altogether.
Despite his confidence that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia would secure victory in multiple rounds of polling, Mensah-Bonsu expressed his fear of the discord that could arise from the process.
“I knew if the polls were conducted 10 times, Dr. Bawumia would win all, but I was scared. Alan was entering his fifth contest after competing with Akufo-Addo, who was stepping down per the 1992 constitution. For fear of sharp divisions, I was rallying for a consensus” he said on Kumasi-based Abusua FM.
In 2021, the Suame lawmaker campaigned for the NPP to nominate Alan Kyerematen as running mate and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as flagbearer for the 2024 elections.
He believed this pairing would strengthen the party and facilitate breaking the eight-year electoral cycle.
However, his proposal did not materialize, as nearly 13 candidates eventually declared their intention to contest the flagbearership.
Speaking on Accra-based OKay FM, Mensah-Bonsu clarified that his proposal for an Alan-Bawumia ticket was not intended to undermine other potential candidates.
“When I approached the party elders, including Kwadwo Mpiani and President Kufuor, I did not insist on specific roles for the candidates. I simply suggested that they speak with the frontrunners to consider teaming up for the NPP’s 2024 election strategy,” he explained.
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