New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has reaffirmed his controversial claim that former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is a “liar,” insisting he will not retract the statement despite calls for unity following the party’s Peace Pact signing.
Agyapong’s stance comes amid increasing pressure from party supporters and stakeholders urging calm and restraint after the peace agreement was signed to foster harmony ahead of the NPP’s internal elections.
In response to public backlash, a statement circulating on social media—purportedly issued by his campaign team and bearing his name—appeared to offer an apology to Dr Bawumia. However, Team Ken’s Campaign Spokesperson, Kwasi Kwarteng, Esq., has dismissed the statement as false, emphasizing that Agyapong has not apologized and continues to stand by his remarks.
After the Peace Pact event, Agyapong addressed his supporters, reiterating his refusal to backtrack.
“I will not apologise. I will apologise my foot. I don’t fear anybody,” he declared, maintaining that he would not be pressured into withdrawing his claim.
He explained that his comments were linked to his experience at the Peace Pact ceremony, where he alleged he resisted signing the document until what he described as serious errors were corrected.
According to Agyapong, he was the only aspirant who identified what he termed “glaring mistakes” in the pact, claiming that even highly educated party members failed to detect them.
“Even PhD holders couldn’t see the mistakes,” he said, warning that signing documents without proper scrutiny could have serious consequences, likening it to “signing your own death warrant.”
He added that his refusal to retreat from his comments reflects his commitment to speaking candidly and maintaining his political style as the party prepares for a closely contested primary.
Meanwhile, political analysts warn that Agyapong’s posture could undermine the unity the Peace Pact was designed to promote. They argue that continued verbal attacks following the agreement send conflicting signals about his commitment to cohesion within the party.
Some analysts further suggest that the contrast between Agyapong’s confrontational approach and Dr Bawumia’s restraint could work in the former Vice President’s favor.
“A Vice President does not need to trade insults to earn credibility. The contrast between restraint and provocation often speaks for itself,” a political science lecturer, who requested anonymity, observed.
Observers caution that escalating rhetoric and internal divisions could weaken party solidarity at a critical time when leadership is pushing for unity ahead of upcoming national elections.
