The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is expected to elect a Flagbearer who will succeed President Akufo-Addo and lead the party in the 2024 general elections, today (Saturday, November 4, 2023).
Over 200,000 delegates across the 275 constituencies will take part in this crucial step with which the party aims to break the eight-year election cycle jinx.
It will be recalled that in its super delegates conference in August, the party narrowed down the list of 10 flagbearer hopefuls to four aspirants.
Notably, some of the initial aspirants have voluntarily withdrawn from the race, leaving the final contenders as Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, MP for Assin Central Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie, and former MP for Asante Mampong, Francis Addai-Nimoh.
While various pollsters have tipped Vice President Dr. Bawumia as the favorite, the competition is expected to be fierce, particularly from Kennedy Agyapong.
On the ballot paper, the Assin Central MP occupies the top slot, followed by Dr. Bawumia in the second position, and Dr. Afriyie Akoto and Mr Addai-Nimoh in the third and fourth slots, respectively.
The outcome of this election will significantly influence the NPP’s strategy for the 2024 elections.
Prior to today’s exercise, all contestants signed an undertaking not to resign from the party in the event of their loss.
A three-member committee has also been set up to supervise the presidential election in the various constituencies.
Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong Kodua, is optimistic that the party will remain united after today’s election.
According to him, the party will be able to reconcile its rank and file to pursue its agenda of ‘breaking the 8’.