Ever since a poster of a press conference from the NPP’s failed presidential candidate, Alan Kyerematen, popped up over the weekend, speculations about his exit from the party have been rife.
Even before that, The Ghanaian Times published a story that Mr. Kyerematen was in talks with the Conventions People’s Party (CPP) to lead the party as its flagbearer for the 2024 elections.
However, this speculation was debunked by the National Chairman of the Party, Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankuma, in an interview with a local TV station. Madam Sarpong Kumankuma stated that, as leader of the party and chairman of the Central Committee of the Party, she is not aware of any such partnership with Mr. Kyeremanten.
In a statement, the former Trades Minister called out the executives of his party for skewing the process aimed at electing a presidential candidate in favour of the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, thereby announcing his decision to withdraw from the race.
He also cited intimidation and maltreatment of his agents.
He garnered some 95 votes out of the 923 valid votes in the Special Electoral College polls for his party, to the surprise of many followers of local politics.
Since his withdrawal from the contest, several influential followers of his campaign, including Richard Nyamah, Catherine Afeku, and Henry Kwabena Kokofu, have publicly expressed their support for the vice president.
Other leading MPs aligned with him, such as Slyvester Asare and Davis Ansah Opoku, also known as OPK, have advised Mr. Kyeremanten against any intention of going independent or leaving the party, as it might not augur well for his political career.
Mr. Kyeremanten first resigned from the party in April 2008, alluding to similar allegations when he contested, among others, the party’s presidential primaries. He later announced he had rescinded his decision.
