There are three main factions in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) � John Kufuor Faction: Akufo Addo faction and the uncommitted faction. The last faction is made up of members of the party who are flexible and are likely to vote for anyone who is elected as the NPP�s flagbearer.
The latest animosity between the John Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo factions became public during the 2005 Congress to elect its national executives. Many of the delegates felt then President Kufuor had �hi-jacked� the party, thus a rallying call towards candidates perceived to have backing of the President was �Yegye Yen Party� (meaning we want to take back our party)).
One of such candidates perceived to be pro-Kufuor was Mr. Stephen Ntim, who was contesting with Mr. Peter Mac Manu for the post of National Chairman. In the run-up to the 2007 Congress to elect the NPP�s flagbearer, one of the 17 who contested, Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanteng, was tagged as a �Kufuor� candidate. Mr. Kyeremanteng, after conceding defeat to Nana Akufo-Addo, joined him on his campaigns nationwide.
Unfortunately, in the many constituencies across the country, the tensions remained between the supporters of these two leading members � Nana Akufo-Addo and Mr. Kyremanteng. It is against this background that one of the persons expected to contest for the 2012 NPP flagbearer slot, Mr. Isaac Osei, has denied ex-President Kufuor. In an interview with the New Crusading Guide newspaper headed: �I am Not Kufuor�s Boy� � Isaac Osei declared that his entry �into the race was not a scheme that was plotted by President Kufuor.� Mr. Osei said his decision to contest was based on his own conviction and incessant calls from party grassroots supporters.
He told the New Crusading Guide that �a serious presidential contender must not necessarily rely on the support of President Kufuor.� Mr. Osei, who is the NPP Member of Parliament for Subin Constituency in the Ashanti Region, under the eight years of Kufuor�s administration, was the former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and later, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COCOBOD.
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