Political Science lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Dr Jonathan Asante Otchere, has said the narrative portraying former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko as being opposed to former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia may have influenced the outcome of the party’s national chairmanship election.
According to him, perceptions surrounding Mr Agyarko formed part of the political dynamics that helped shape the contest, ultimately contributing to John Boadu’s victory.
Speaking on Citi FM, Dr Asante Otchere said the claim that Mr Agyarko was “anti-Bawumia” was part of the narratives surrounding the election.
“It was part of the narrative that Boakye Agyarko was anti-Bawumia,” he said.
He said the narrative was important in assessing the factors that may have influenced delegates as they made their choice between the two leading contenders.
Dr Asante Otchere noted that pre-election polling had put Mr Boadu ahead of Mr Agyarko, raising questions about the factors that ultimately shaped delegates’ decisions at the conference.
He said the outcome also needed to be viewed against the backdrop of Mr Boadu’s previous unsuccessful attempt to become NPP General Secretary four years ago.
According to him, the considerations that influenced delegates to reject Mr Boadu in that earlier contest had not necessarily changed, yet he emerged victorious in the subsequent chairmanship race.
He therefore questioned the basis on which delegates changed their position on Mr Boadu.
“Since those factors have not changed, for me, it was a wrong decision on the part of the delegates to elect John Boadu,” he said.
The comments come after Mr Boadu emerged as the NPP’s National Chairman following a closely contested election, with the campaign and perceptions surrounding the candidates forming part of the broader debate over the outcome.
