InsiderGH.com sources within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) have revealed that Alan John Kwadwo Kyeremanten, a longstanding presidential contender NPP is poised to make a significant announcement regarding his participation in the party’s upcoming presidential primaries slated for November 4, 2023.
Mr. Alan Kyerematen is expected to reveal his decision during a press conference scheduled for today, September 5, 2023.
Kyeremanten’s potential withdrawal may not come as a shock to many, considering his lackluster performance in the initial round of voting held in August. During that round, the party narrowed down its pool of aspirants from ten to five, and Kyeremanten struggled to garner support.
The uncertainty surrounding his next course of action has divided his supporters, with many anxiously awaiting his decision. Speculation abounds that he may choose to run as an independent candidate in the December 2024 presidential race. This speculation stems from a meeting he held with his core team members on Sunday night, as reported by sources close to his camp.
Alan 4 President (A4P), Kyeremanten’s campaign team, had remained relatively quiet since the special electoral college elections held on August 26, 2023, in all 16 regional capitals and an additional center at the NPP party headquarters.
However, on Sunday, September 3, 2023, the A4P team announced that Mr. Kyeremanten would address the press on September 5, sparking debate within the NPP ranks about the content of his forthcoming announcement.
If Mr. Kyeremanten does declare his intention to participate in the November NPP presidential primaries during Tuesday’s press conference, it would not be surprising, as he is one of the five shortlisted candidates for the contest following the special electoral college polls.
This marks his fourth attempt to lead the party since 2007, having been defeated by Nana Akufo-Addo in his previous three endeavors.
However, if he confirms his withdrawal from the presidential primaries, as suggested by InsiderGH.com, it would also be consistent with his poor showing on August 26, where he received just 95 votes, representing 10.29% of the 927 valid votes cast.
Once seen as the presumptive heir after Akufo-Addo, Kyeremanten’s third-place finish behind Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, MP, has deflated his dwindling supporters. This disappointing performance has also cast doubts on his ability to secure the necessary funding for a nationwide campaign, given that there are over 200,000 party delegates to reach.
The August race featured four first-time candidates, including Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Kwadwo Poku, who finished fourth and ninth, respectively. Other familiar names in the race included Joe Ghartey (eighth place), Kwabena Agyei Agyepong (seventh place), Francis Addai Nimoh (tied for fifth place), Kofi Konadu Apraku (tenth place), and Boakye Agyarko (tied for fifth place).
Kyeremanten’s campaign had anticipated strong support in the Ashanti, Volta, and Greater Accra Regions, with a competitive showing in the Central Region. However, the actual results were far from their expectations, with Kyerematen polling just 10 votes in Ashanti, 4 in the Central Region, and 4 in Volta.
In essence, Kyerematen placed second or third in all 16 regions, often by substantial margins, contradicting his “Aduru Wo So” (It is my turn) narrative. His significant loss to Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has raised concerns within his team about his ability to secure funding for the upcoming NPP presidential primaries, even if he maintains his appetite for the contest.
Should Mr. Alan Kyeremanten withdraw from the NPP presidential primaries, his supporters will undoubtedly be eager to hear his reasons for this decision and to contemplate what lies ahead for his political future. While sources close to his campaign suggest concerns about a lack of a level playing field within the party, critics may point to his underwhelming performance as a deciding factor.
