Photo: Kronea Kwabena Asante, aide to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia
• Bawumia Man Nukes Afenyo
Krobea Kwabena Asante, a close aide to the Vice President and former flagbearer hopeful Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has pushed back strongly against calls for New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament to remain neutral in the ongoing internal leadership contest.
His comments come in response to remarks by the Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, who has advised MPs aligned with the NPP to refrain from taking sides in the party’s flagbearer race.
Afenyo-Markin joins a chorus of senior party figures—including former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and former presidential aspirant Dr Arthur Kennedy—who have all advocated for MPs to avoid entangling themselves in internal power contests. The aim, they argue, is to preserve party unity ahead of a likely heated race for leadership renewal.
But Mr. Asante, writing on Facebook, dismissed the notion of political neutrality for elected representatives as both “a scam and sham”, insisting that MPs have every right—indeed, a democratic responsibility—to express their preferences openly.
“Neutrality by active politicians on political matters is a scam and sham,” he posted. “The only genuine maxim is impartiality. We should stop mixing the two in politics.”
According to Asante, MPs in mature democracies routinely declare support for leadership hopefuls in their respective parties, without undermining the democratic process or internal cohesion. What matters, he stressed, is how that support is expressed—not whether it exists.
“I disagree with the Minority Leader. Even in the best democracies, legislators declare for candidates to lead their parties,” he wrote. “What they should not do is sabotage other candidates or impose their choice on constituents.”
“There is nothing wrong with declaring your support as an MP. This is democracy. It is about choices. Some may stay neutral but be partial underground; others may openly support candidates but be fair to others. It is all about choices.”
His comments highlight simmering tensions within the NPP as the party navigates its post-2024 electoral future and seeks to rebuild from its recent defeat at the polls. The party’s National Council has already come under scrutiny over its constitutional procedures in scheduling internal elections and setting dates for the flagbearership contest.
Mr. Asante’s defiant tone suggests the Bawumia camp is unwilling to concede ground in what has become a contested internal discourse on loyalty, factionalism, and democratic freedoms within the party.
Reinforcing his resolve to speak openly on party matters, Asante noted:
“Guys, focus. Nothing will change my view on a public issue, provided there is no insult,” he added. “If I am even sacked from NPP for the view, I will accept it. Focus. We’ve crossed the Rubicon.”
His comments are likely to reignite debate within party ranks about the role of MPs in internal elections, and whether expressing political preference in public undermines neutrality, discipline, or simply affirms the democratic spirit.
As the NPP moves towards its next leadership vote, this latest exchange reflects the delicate balance party leaders must strike between enforcing discipline and allowing space for open political expression within their own ranks.
About The Author
