The Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has announced that he will not publicly campaign for any candidate in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) upcoming presidential primary.
Addressing journalists, Mr. Afenyo-Markin explained that his leadership role requires him to remain a unifying figure within the party, rather than openly aligning with any particular aspirant.
“For me as a leader, I cannot publicly say I am going to campaign for this person,” he said. “Because of where I sit, I cannot publicly declare support. I have a role to play in the aftermath of January 31st, and it’s important to maintain credibility for that.”
The Effutu MP noted that taking sides could undermine his ability to mediate and foster unity after the contest.
“If I show my hand openly, it would be difficult to be trusted when I’m called upon to reconcile the party. So I think it’s appropriate to stay neutral,” he added.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin, however, commended his fellow MPs who have declared their support for various aspirants, describing their conduct as responsible and respectful.
“So far, those who have declared in one way or the other have been decent. Initially, I was concerned about how such declarations would be managed, but they’ve done well,” he noted.
He reiterated his earlier call for neutrality and decorum among Members of Parliament, stressing that internal party elections should not lead to division.
“To make yourself a credible referee who will be trusted by all sides, it’s better to stay neutral — at least not openly declare support,” he emphasized.
While acknowledging that some colleagues disagree with his position, Mr. Afenyo-Markin said he respects their right to take a different approach, provided it is done respectfully.
His comments come as the NPP prepares for its presidential primary, a crucial event that will determine the party’s leadership and direction ahead of the next general elections.
Source: happyghana.com
