NPP Turmoil Deepens Over 2028 Flagbearer Race: Afenyo-Markin Clashes with Oman FM, Ken-Bawumia Camps Exchange Spikes
Rifts within Ghana’s opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) are growing deeper in the aftermath of President John Dramani Mahama’s overwhelming victory in the 2024 elections, as factions gear up for a fierce battle for supremacy.
The aftermath of the defeat has reignited longstanding rivalries, betrayals, and grievances within the party, setting the stage for a tumultuous showdown as contenders eye the 2028 presidential race.
Amidst efforts to mend internal divisions, senior party leaders are split between quelling internal strife among rival factions and addressing accusations of poor governance that plagued the party’s eight-year rule.
Notably, supporters of key figures from the party’s previous presidential primaries, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former MP Ken Ohene Agyapong, have engaged in a war of words, trading insults and allegations.
Tensions escalated during televised discussions when Dr. Bawumia’s backers on Movement TV labeled Ken as an “idiot,” prompting retaliatory name-calling from Ken’s allies, who branded the former vice president as “stupid.”
Accusations have flown back and forth, with Bawumia’s camp blaming Ken for contributing to the party’s defeat through controversial remarks that allegedly played into the hands of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the campaign.
Ken, known for his critical remarks on the economy, has faced accusations from Bawumia’s supporters that his actions and statements hindered the party’s chances even before official campaigning began.
The party’s top executives, under the leadership of former Speaker Mike Aaron Oquaye, have initiated an inquiry into the reasons behind the election loss, with findings yet to be released.
While some vocal supporters advocate for retaining Bawumia as the flagbearer for the upcoming election, others fervently champion Ken Agyapong on both traditional and social media platforms.
Afenyo-Markin Takes Aim at Ken’s Oman FM In a recent interview, Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin criticized Oman FM, a station affiliated with Ken City Media, for allegedly sowing discord within the NPP by favoring Ken’s political ambitions over party unity.
Afenyo-Markin chided the station’s hosts and panelists for undermining party cohesion and urged them to avoid public criticism and insinuations against party leaders.
Annoh-Dompreh, Akomea Rally Behind Bawumia MP Frank Annoh-Dompreh and other party members have voiced their support for Dr. Bawumia’s candidacy in the upcoming election, citing his experience and dedication to the party’s principles.
However, Ken Agyapong’s supporters, including vocal commentators on platforms like Ken Studio, continue to critique the party leadership and call for a change in direction.
The verbal sparring between the two factions has intensified, with each side vehemently defending their preferred candidate and trading barbs over the party’s future direction.