Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the outspoken Member of Parliament for Assin Central, has expressed his deep disappointment and bitterness regarding the treatment he faced during the 2023 New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Primary. In an upcoming interview with KSM on Pan Africa Television, Agyapong revealed his hurt, specifically pointing to what he considered “insults” directed at him by fellow MPs, particularly those he had financially supported in their parliamentary campaigns.
Agyapong, acknowledging the MPs’ right to choose their preferred candidate, underscored the extent of his disappointment. He highlighted the sense of betrayal from individuals he had assisted in getting into Parliament, stating, “It is not every MP who didn’t vote for me that I am angry at, no, everybody has a choice. But the very people who were my friends that I have helped to bring them to Parliament.”
While Agyapong could accept differing political preferences, he emphasized that it was the personal attacks and insults directed at him that fueled his bitterness. “It’s not the betrayal, but the bad things they said about me, that is where I have the problem. So who says I’m not bitter? I am bitter, I am not because the vice president won, I am bitter because of the people that I have helped. If you are not going to vote for me, no problem but the insults. I can’t forgive them,” he asserted.
During the NPP Presidential Primaries, Agyapong secured 71,996 votes, representing 37.41% of the total votes cast. However, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia emerged as the winner with 118,210 votes, constituting 61.47% of the votes, securing the party’s flagbearer position for the upcoming elections.
Agyapong’s candid remarks provide insights into the internal dynamics and tensions within the NPP, particularly stemming from the fallout of the presidential primary. His sentiments may resonate among certain factions, potentially influencing the NPP’s cohesion and strategy as it approaches the general election in December.