Afenyo-Markin Stays Neutral in NPP Flagbearer Race, Seeks Role as Unifier for Wounded Party
Hon. Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, Member of Parliament for Effutu and Minority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, has publicly declared that he will not campaign openly for any candidate in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer contest, stating that his current leadership role within the party demands impartiality and unity ahead of critical internal elections.
Speaking on Joy News on Monday, October 27, 2025, Afenyo-Markin explained that while many of his parliamentary colleagues have already declared support for various aspirants in the upcoming presidential primary, he believes his position requires a different approach. “For me as a leader, I cannot publicly say I am going to campaign for this person,” he said. “I don’t have to, because of where I sit… I cannot publicly, but privately, can you say? I cannot publicly. I have a role to play in the aftermath of January 31st.”
The Effutu MP argued that openly backing any of the candidates could undermine his credibility as someone who must help the party heal and rebuild after the 2024 general election defeat. “If I would have to play that role, show my hand openly, it would be difficult to be trusted when I am doing that midnight walking. So I think it’s appropriate to stay that way,” he added.
Though he called for neutrality among parliamentarians, he acknowledged and commended those MPs who have already endorsed aspirants, describing them as being “decent and responsible” in declared support. “I think so far, the MPs who have declared in one way or the other have been decent. Initially, my concern was how those who will declare openly will manage themselves,” he noted.
The Minority Leader emphasised the importance of maintaining intra-party harmony during the NPP’s flagbearer race, which is widely seen as one of the most consequential contests in the party’s history. The winner will steer the party into the 2028 general election, and how the race is managed could significantly influence the NPP’s prospects of regaining the presidency.
Analysts believe that Afenyo-Markin’s decision reflects a strategic calculation rooted in his recognition of the fractured state of the party after its electoral defeat last year. With public support for the NPP weakened and internal divisions exposed, his choice to refrain from giving imprimatur to any candidate may enhance his post-primary relevance and positioning.
Political commentator Dr. Yaw Seidu suggests that by remaining above the fray now, Afenyo-Markin could emerge as a kingmaker or stabilising figure once the flagbearer is chosen. “In a party wounded by defeat, such figures gain significant moral authority. He is positioning himself to unify, rather than polarise, which may pay dividends in the longer term,” the commentator noted.
However, some within the party argue that his stance could deny him the chance to elevate his own influence by early alignment with a frontrunner. Early endorsements often yield political capital and opportunities for roles in campaign management or candidate committees. But supporters of his approach counter that his longer-term goal is institutional rather than personal, focused on steering the party into renewal and reducing factionalism.
Sources close to Afenyo-Markin say he has nevertheless been in quiet consultations with various aspirants and party stakeholders, though without formal endorsement or public commitment. His office describes these talks as part of his role as Minority Leader and senior party figure, tasked with providing guidance and oversight rather than battlefield endorsements.
The NPP flagbearer race is set to intensify in the coming weeks as aspirants ramp up campaigns, delegate mobilisations and constituency engagements. The party’s electoral college will convene for a super-delegates congress, followed by delegate conferences across the country. For many party watchers, how Afenyo-Markin and other senior figures conduct themselves in this period will influence perceptions of party unity and discipline.
Internal tension remains high. Some party members view public endorsements as essential to gathering delegate support, while others echo Afenyo-Markin’s warning that early polarisation could deepen rifts. As one senior MP put it privately: “We must not re-run the division we inflicted on ourselves before the last election.”
There are expectations that once the NPP concludes its flagbearer election process, Afenyo-Markin will actively play a role in reconciling supporters, fostering coalition-building and driving the party’s strategic direction. His statement suggests that he anticipates the winner will need the backing not just of delegates but of a broader party machine, parliamentary caucus, regional executives and grassroots activists.
Ghana’s next general election looms large in the political calendar, and for the NPP, this internal contest may be more than a routine primary. It could be a rehearsal for campaign readiness, a test of party cohesion and a measure of how the party will face its rival, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), at the polls. In that context, figures like Afenyo-Markin who choose neutrality now may be setting themselves up as the stabilisers within the party that can help heal and rebuild.
As the race accelerates, time will tell whether his decision to resist early public campaigning will benefit his standing, the party’s unity or both. For now, the message from Afenyo-Markin is clear: the role he envisages transcends individual loyalty, it aims to place the NPP’s collective future above immediate factional interests.
63 NPP MPs Endorse Bawumia as Flagbearer, Citing Vision, Unity, and Proven Leadership
