Political analyst Alex Emmanuel Nti has observed that New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates did not reject Kennedy Agyapong out of personal dislike, but rather because they prioritized continuity over disruption.
Mr Nti argued that delegates leaned toward Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia because they viewed him as the candidate most likely to secure a smoother path to victory.
“The delegates did not vote against Kennedy Agyapong because they did not like him. They voted for Bawumia because they want continuity. So the election was based on continuity. They don’t want the system to be disrupted. They preferred a candidate who had already been marketed.”
According to Nti, Dr. Bawumia successfully endearment himself to the party elites, reassuring them of his stability. In contrast, Kennedy Agyapong’s aggressive campaign style reportedly unnerved key stakeholders.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Nti told host Kwabena Agyapong that the “no-nonsense” agenda of the Assin Central MP was perceived as a threat by those within the party’s inner circle.
“If you followed Kennedy Agyapong’s campaign, he scared power brokers with his no-nonsense agenda. Some of these power brokers are Members of Parliament, financiers of the party, Regional Chairmen, and others. These power brokers felt that Kennedy Agyapong was too brutal. Dr. Bawumia, on the other hand, reassured these power brokers and so they preferred him. Bawumia won those who believed in the structure of the party, while Ken won those who are of high volatility.”
The analyst further noted that Dr. Bawumia successfully marketed himself as a “globally legible” democrat, whereas Agyapong framed himself as an anti-establishment figure.
“Dr. Bawumia marketed himself as a democrat, as globally legible, and reassured the delegates that when you vote for him, you’re in safe hands. Kennedy Agyapong marketed or framed himself as someone who is anti-elite, combative, and disruptive. If you examine all these points, you will understand that the voting pattern affirms what I have said; it wasn’t necessarily that Dr. Bawumia was ‘better’ than Kennedy Agyapong.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
