Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, affectionately referred to as DMB has informed the Majority Caucus in Parliament of his decision to contest the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries when nominations are open later this month.
He announced his intention at a heavily attended majority caucus meeting in the evening of Tuesday, May 2, 2023, according to information gathered.
Vice President Bawumia’s message, thecustodianghonline.com further learnt, was “unity and perseverance. Together we can succeed. It is possible”.
Over 100 Members of Parliament (MPs) have already declared their support for Vice President Bawumia who is heavily tipped to win the NPP presidential primaries for the 2024 general election.
The MPs believe the second gentle man of the land is the one who can help the governing party achieve its objective of “breaking the 8”.
NPP has set November 4, 2023, as the date for its presidential primaries to select a flagbearer for the general election in 2024.
However, if more than five candidates file to run in the primaries, the party will hold a Special Congress on August 26 to cut the number to five for the main primaries.
About 10 people have so far declared their intention to contest the NPP presidential primaries including former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen, MP for Assin Central Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie-Akoto, former Minister for Energy Boakye Agyarko, former Minster for Railway Development Joe Ghartey, former General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, former MP for Mampong Francis Addai Nimoh.
The nomination period for the presidential primaries will begin on May 26 and end on June 24, 2023.
The party has also announced that parliamentary primaries will be held in February 2024.
Nominations will be accepted between December 20, 2023, and January 4, 2024.
This means NPP will choose its Presidential Candidate before its parliamentary candidates.
