Story By: Juliet Akosua Danquah
The Leader of Parliament’s Minority Caucus, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has stated he will not endorse any candidate in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) upcoming presidential primary, asserting that his leadership position obligates him to be a neutral and unifying force.
In a television interview on Monday, October 27, the MP for Effutu explained that while several of his colleagues have publicly chosen sides, his role demands impartiality to maintain party cohesion.
“As a leader, I cannot announce a public campaign for any individual,” he affirmed. “The office I occupy does not permit it… I cannot do so publicly. But privately, can you remain inactive? I cannot be public. I have a part to play once the contest ends on January 31st.”
He elaborated that openly revealing his preferred candidate would undermine his credibility when tasked with mending fences post-election.
“If I am to play that crucial role, showing my hand now would make it hard to be trusted when I embark on those late-night reconciliation efforts. Therefore, I believe it is prudent to maintain this stance,” he added.
Afenyo-Markin did, however, praise fellow MPs who have declared their allegiances, noting that they have conducted themselves with propriety.
“Thus far, the parliamentarians who have declared for one aspirant or another have been respectable. My initial worry was about how they would handle their public endorsements,” he stated.
He repeated his previous appeal for neutrality among legislators to preserve internal harmony, emphasizing that internal races should not lead to lasting fractures.
“You may recall I previously urged us to remain neutral… To position yourself as a credible referee trusted by all sides, it is better to stay neutral—at least not to declare openly,” he clarified.
The Minority Leader concluded that although some colleagues hold a different view, he respects their right to back a candidate, provided it is done with decorum.
His remarks come as the NPP prepares for a pivotal presidential primary that will determine the party’s flagbearer and strategic direction for the next general election.
