Member of Parliament for Afadjato South, Frank Afriyie, has dismissed the notion that any individual within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) can succeed electorally without the party’s full backing, stating that no aspirant, regardless of popularity, could secure more than 5% of the national vote as an independent candidate.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Tuesday, June 24, Afriyie emphasized the indispensable role of political party structures in winning elections in Ghana, stressing that personal popularity alone is not a substitute for institutional support.
“It is not for nothing that candidates who run on the ticket of the NDC or NPP perform strongly in general elections. It’s because of the machinery and structures behind them,” he said.
His comments follow the recent endorsement of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia by 220 former Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), who declared their support for his candidacy in the 2028 presidential elections. The endorsement was made public at a press conference held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on Monday, June 23.
The group, operating under the banner “Forum of Former MMDCEs for Dr. Bawumia,” described their choice as a strategic decision made after thorough consultations. They pledged full political, financial, and logistical backing to ensure his success in the NPP’s internal primaries, scheduled for January 31, 2026.
However, MP Afriyie challenged the impact of such endorsements, arguing that they often serve to boost individual egos rather than strengthen the party’s grassroots foundation.
“If Dr. Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, or any of the aspirants believe they are that strong, let them run as independents—they won’t even get 5%,” he said.
“What the party needs now is rebuilding from the base. Endorsements at this stage are premature and distract from the real work of party reorganization.”
Afriyie’s caution adds to growing concerns within political circles about the risks of deepening internal divisions through early public alignments, as the NPP looks to regain voter confidence ahead of the 2028 elections.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Gumedzo Isaac Acheampong
