Alexandar Afenyo-Markin, Freddie Blay
Former National Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has dismissed reports suggesting that the party is planning to remove Alexander Afenyo-Markin as Minority Leader in Parliament, insisting that no such decision has been taken.
Speaking in an interview with Joy News, Mr. Blay explained that the authority to appoint or remove a Minority Leader rests with the party leadership and not solely with the parliamentary caucus or any individual.
“If there is a plan being hatched, it has not come to my notice. It is not even the members of the party in Parliament alone. The caucus may discuss leadership, but ultimately the party takes the decision. It is the party’s prerogative to determine the leadership it fronts in Parliament,” he said.
He added that the party would only make such a decision if it deemed it necessary.
“I think he should not be removed. He has done well. He is trumpeting the sentiment of the party and the general public. For now, so far so good. The party only makes changes based on certain factors. The National Council, in consultation with the caucus in Parliament, makes such changes. At the moment, the party has no desire to make any change to the leadership in Parliament,” he said.
Mr. Blay also urged members of the NPP to refrain from attacking individuals within the party, particularly those aligned with different factions, and instead focus their energies on challenging the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“All our arsenals should be targeted at the NDC, not ourselves. The real battle lies outside the party with the governing National Democratic Congress,” he stated.
His comments come in the wake of the NPP’s presidential primary held on January 31, where former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia secured victory with 56.48 percent of the votes.
He defeated four other contenders, including Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong and Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.
Mr. Blay, a long-standing stalwart of the NPP, noted that anyone who contests internal party elections must be prepared to defend their candidacy and withstand the pressures that come with competitive politics.
“A lot of people throw stones at you, throw mud at you. I was praying very hard that it should remain a friendly fight, what I normally refer to as friendly hostilities, because after all, we are in the same party,” he said.
The former chairman acknowledged that some contestants might have stepped out of line during the campaign, but urged party members to move beyond those moments and concentrate on the bigger goal of the 2028 general election.
He also encouraged candidates who lost the presidential primary to remain committed to the party and support the flagbearer, in order to help the NPP reclaim power from the NDC.
“It’s not easy to lose an election. The bitterness could remain with them for a while, but at the end of the day we talk to each other. We are in the same party,” he said.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah