Akufo-Addo Never Explicitly Supported Bawumia —Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu

The former Member of Parliament for Suame and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs during the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, has said that he cannot state categorically that former President Akufo-Addo supported Dr Bawumia’s Presidential bid.

Speaking in an interview with Evans Mensah on Joy News’ PM Express, he said Nana Akufo-Addo never stated in his hearing that he supported Dr Bawumia.

He said the former President also intimated that he would support whichever candidate came out of the nominating process but never threw his weight behind his Vice President of 8 years.

“He was the president and he was his vice president. I want to believe [he supported him], but it’s difficult for me to really state that case.” he said. “He never told me that, and he never told this at cabinet. At cabinet, he was always insistent that anybody who emerged victorious was going to [have his] support.”

Osei Kyei Mensa Bonsu, speaking about the NPP flagbearer race, said he expected Dr Bawumia to win but hoped that he would rack up a massive enough win – approaching 70% – to be able to easily rally the party behind him.

“I think that he has what it takes. To cross 50 plus one, regardless of how many people join. He’s the man of the moment. I want a situation where he’ll be able to garner more than the percentage he got in the previous time and perhaps attain close to about 70.” he added. “If he does that, uniting the party behind him will not be difficult. If he doesn’t and wins by the 50 plus one that we are even talking about. Barely crosses the line. Then it gives the impression that, oh, he’s not carrying the entire party behind him.”

Analysis of Osei Kyei Mensa Bonsu’s revelation about Akufo-Addo and Bawumia

It’s generally expected that the outgoing President in a party stay neutral during the rush to succeed him, so it’s not particularly surprising that Akufo-Addo would not publicly state his support for Bawumia.

What is a bit more surprising is that Mensah Bonsu appears to suggest that even behind the scenes, the former President did little to help his protégé.

If true, that raises questions about what motivated that decision and whether the former President has doubts about Bawumia’s abilities to carry the NPP to victory.

Luckily for the former VEEP, he appears to continue to hold the support of numerous top party functionaries, including Mensah Bonsu here, who appears to be predisposed to Bawumia carrying the torch for the party.