The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has stated that while he has a personal preference in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer race, he will not publicly declare his support for any of the aspirants.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on October 27, the Effutu Member of Parliament said that although he has a “horse in the race,” his role as Minority Leader requires him to remain neutral to preserve his credibility and ability to reconcile party factions after the primaries.
“I cannot publicly say I am going to campaign for this person,” he stated. “I don’t have to, because of where I sit… I cannot publicly — but privately, can you stay there? I cannot publicly. I have a role to play in the aftermath.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin explained that publicly declaring his support could make it difficult for him to mediate differences within the party once the internal elections are over. “If I would have to play that role, show my hand openly, it will be difficult to be trusted when I am doing that midnight walking. So I think it’s appropriate to stay that way,” he added.
He commended all five aspirants contesting the NPP flagbearer position, describing them as bold and dedicated individuals who represent the party’s future. “They’ve made their name in the party, so bold and courageous to say that, look, we want to take the flag and bring you victory. That tells me that the party has a future,” he said.
The Minority Leader dismissed suggestions that the party could face divisions due to MPs openly backing different candidates. According to him, those who have declared support for particular aspirants have done so respectfully and without acrimony. “So far, the MPs who have declared in one way or the other have been decent. Initially, my concern was how those who will declare openly will manage themselves,” he noted.
Mr Afenyo-Markin emphasised that his earlier call for neutrality among parliamentary leaders was motivated by the need to safeguard party unity after the primaries. “Let’s be very neutral… to make yourself a credible referee who would be trusted by various factions,” he said.
He acknowledged that not all MPs agreed with his position but expressed satisfaction that they had conducted themselves “decently” in their public endorsements. “For me, that is commendable, and I will continue to encourage those who are showing faces that look, I belong to Mr A or Mr B, to sell the message of their candidate,” he remarked.
Describing the ongoing flagbearer race as a sign of vitality within the NPP, he said competition among aspirants demonstrates that the party remains strong and relevant. “A party that has no future will not have people wasting their time to use its brand to serve at all. They would go independent. So that, in itself, is a good start for us,” he stated.
Mr Afenyo-Markin added that once a flagbearer is chosen, the NPP will embark on a rebranding process that reflects the new leader’s vision and aligns with the party’s core ideology. “By 31st January, we will be done with this. A leader is chosen. Then the proper rebranding starts,” he concluded.
