Bawumia too tainted to lead NPP back to power - Martin Kpebu
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu says the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has effectively ruled itself out of winning the 2028 general elections by recycling presidential hopefuls whose records are inseparable from the failures of the Akufo-Addo administration.
Speaking on The Key Point on Saturday, January 3, Mr Kpebu argued that the calibre and background of aspirants currently seeking the NPP’s flagbearer slot show that the party has failed to reflect on the reasons behind its crushing defeat in the 2024 elections.
At the centre of his critique was former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, whom he described as deeply tainted by the economic and governance decisions of the Akufo-Addo era to present a credible alternative to voters.
According to Mr Kpebu, Dr. Bawumia’s close partnership with former President Nana Akufo-Addo makes it impossible for him to campaign on a better record, especially after years marked by economic hardship and unpopular policies.
“This whole range of candidates, it tells me one thing: the NPP is not ready for the 2028 election. They are not ready. This is the tone-deaf attitude that got them into opposition in the first place. How can you parade Bawumia? Bawumia, who is a feather with Akufo-Addo? Such a man who helped Akufo-Addo to unleash terror on us, economic doldrums, right? Haircuts, left-right-centre. When… where is he going to get a better record to campaign? You have to bring somebody who is not tainted,” he said.
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Mr Kpebu maintained that any attempt by the NPP to repackage Dr. Bawumia as a fresh candidate would be rejected by voters who associate him with the economic decline, debt restructuring and fiscal stress experienced under the previous government.
He was equally dismissive of other leading aspirants in the race, beginning with Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, whose temperament he said disqualifies him from serious presidential consideration.
“When it comes to Kennedy Agyapong, you know, he lacks the temperament and everything to be president, so we’ll not waste any more time on that,” he added.
On former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Mr Kpebu cited past controversies surrounding attempts to acquire state-owned hotels, warning that such a record raises serious concerns about governance and public interest.
“Bryan Acheampong, who wanted to take our hotels for a song. Bryan Acheampong wanted to take our hotels for a song, but for the leadership of Okudzeto, who mobilised Ghanaians. He will loot us dry. Bryan Acheampong will loot us dry,” he stated.
While acknowledging the competence of former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Mr Kpebu questioned his national appeal, arguing that leadership at the presidential level requires more than technical ability.
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“He’s a good guy, but when you’re looking for a president, there must be that spark. He has not postured himself as someone who can be the father of the nation,” he said.
He also ruled out former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyapong as a viable contender, insisting that his political moment has passed.
“Kwabena Agyapong, I have nothing to say that particularly. It’s just that his time is gone, that’s it,” he stated.
Mr Kpebu, however, identified Okaikwei Central MP Patrick Yaw Boamah as a possible long-term investment for the party, even if it means sacrificing the 2028 elections to build credibility for the future.
“They should bring the youngster, bring Boamah, so that he will contest 2028, lose, and then by 2032 everyone will say, ‘Yes, now he’s ripe,’” he stated.
