The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has said that he would not support any of the candidates running for the presidency of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 election.
President Akufo-Addo has said that he would not endorse anybody until the party elects a presidential candidate.
Though the NPP has yet to set a date for its presidential primaries, several key figures have shown interest, including Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, Trade Minister Alan Kyeremanteng, and Agriculture Minister Dr. Akoto Afriyie.
President Akufo-Addo, speaking on a local radio station in Kumasi as part of his visit to the Ashanti Region, said it would be unwise to throw his support behind a single candidate.
He, on the other hand, has said that he would support whomever the party elects and will go all out to advocate for that person to be elected president.
He maintained that it was non-negotiable and necessary for him.
“My duty is in two folds. One is, first of all, to hold a balance to make sure there is a level playing field for all of them (aspirants) because the decision has to be the decision of the party, and whoever the party elects as its flagbearer for 2024 that person is the one I will support and campaign for the person to become president.”
President Akufo-Addo recently made fun of his former rival for the NPP’s flagbearership, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, in an unusual manner.
The President, who was introducing a team that would accompany him to visit the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as part of his four-day tour of the Ashanti Region, teased Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the Food and Agriculture Minister, and Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen about their presidential ambitions.
In the presence of Otumfuo and his elders, the President said, “I am here with the Minister of Transport, Minister for Works and Housing, the National Security Boss, Chairman One; Wontumi, the Food and Agriculture Minister; Owusu Afriyie, who wants to be President. I also have here with me someone who has long eyed the presidential seat, the Minister of Trade and Industry; Alan Kyeremanten, a very hard-working man. All of them are doing a good job”.
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