Renowned pollster, Ben Ephson has said comments by former President John Agyekum Kufuor about the vice-president, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is a boost to his campaign in the lead up to the NPP’s flagbearer contest.
The former president John Agyekum Kufuor described Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as a “true son”.
He also said one of the virtues of Bawumia is loyalty, which makes him stand out among his contemporaries.
Speaking with Beatrice Adu on the Big Bulletin Tuesday (20th June), Ephson said, “The two frontrunners are obviously Alan Kyerematen and Bawumia. People expect that the Kufuor camp still supports whole-heartedly Kyerematen…I’m not saying he is not supporting Kyerematen but Kufuor’s comments virtually give an injection to Bawumia’s acceptability amongst elderly people who will follow President Kufuor and his choices. It is obviously a positive for Vice-President Bawumia.”
He added, “I’m finishing my seventh book on Ghanaian elections. There’s a chapter on the NPP flagbearership race and I know what is being speculated that Bawumia is more of Akufo-Addo choice and the Kufuor faction are still supporting Alan…”
“You need to bear it in mind that Kufuor could have refused to attend the function. There’ve been innuendos of Kufuor and Bawumia not being on good terms. So from what we’ve been picking up, I interpret this as more of a positive, a plus for Bawumia’s campaign.
Emergence of Ken Agyapong
The pollster said the emergence of the Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong in the NPP flagbearer race could relegate Alan Kyerematen to a third position.
“I think Kennedy Agyapong has entered the race and if [I’m telling you exclusively] he meets Alan Kyerematen to third place, don’t be surprised because this is an election by people within the party, Alan Kyerematen peaked 15 years; so if you are a delegate and you are below forty years you might not remember Alan.”
“Kennedy Agyapong has been a Member of Parliament and this is his sixth term; don’t be surprised if Alan places third and Kennedy places second. I’ve interpreted this because I know what is going round and this [Kufuor’s comments] is a jab in the arm for Bawumia,” he said.
