The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie has told Citi News in an exclusive interview that the party will support the 2012 Vice Presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawurmia to lead the party in the 2016 election.
This, he said will be done if the party’s 2012 flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo decides not to contest.
Mr. Owusu Afriyie noted that the long held public perception that the NPP is an Akan party will be cemented if a different candidate is selected.
Nana Addo is yet to openly declare his intention for 2016 but Mr. Owusu Afriyie insists, Dr. Bawumia should be the ideal candidate.
According to him, Dr. Bawumia played a crucial role during the party’s election petition at the Supreme Court and so he would have to be supported if Nana Addo decides not to contest.
He said: “We will not send Bawumia to the gallows as you did to defend this party and then when it comes to the ultimate, he will not be there. He will be there and I am sure all the others will come; those who see themselves as presidential materials, they will all come.”
Owusu Afriyie however expressed fears that if Dr. Bawumia is not given the nod to lead the party, “the propaganda will kill us…and this party, all the votes we get from the three northern regions, all the votes we get elsewhere will be whittled away.”
He was optimistic that the party’s support base will be strengthened with Bawumia’s election “and I have no doubt in my mind that even those who are opposed to it, privately are happy that I have made that statement.”
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana