Former Member of Parliament and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong, has declared that the NPP does not give second chances to underperforming presidential candidates.
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Speaking at Mampong in the Ashanti Region during a visit to mourn the late Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu, Agyapong addressed party members and sympathizers, using the platform to reflect on the NPP’s track record with flagbearer selections.
According to Agyapong, the NPP has a strong tradition of promoting candidates who deliver impressive electoral results. He argued that the party does not support repeat bids from those who lead it to failure.
Pointing to the party’s history, Agyapong criticized 2024 flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, describing the party’s performance under his leadership as “abysmal.” He maintained that such a result should automatically disqualify Bawumia from a second shot at the presidency.
He also pushed back against claims that the NPP always gives its presidential candidates multiple chances. To support his point, Agyapong cited the example of the late Prof. Albert Adu Boahen. Despite being a respected academic and a founding figure in the party’s democratic revival, Prof. Boahen was replaced after his defeat in the 1992 general elections.
“Prof. Adu Boahen played a key role in resisting military rule and reviving multiparty democracy. Yet, after just one defeat, the party moved on. That shows how seriously the NPP takes performance,” Agyapong emphasized.
He contrasted that with the experiences of John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo, both of whom received second chances, but he noted, only because their initial performances were strong enough to justify another try.
“Kufuor had just a few months to campaign in 1996, yet his results were impressive. That’s the NPP standard, earn your second chance,” Agyapong added.
