3 NPP Aspirants To Back Boateng Against Nana Addo For NPP�s 2016 Slot

Some members of Parliament (MPs) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) strongly believe that to make the Party�s 2016 flagbearership contest an interesting one, there should be only two aspirants . A senior NPP MP told the Daily Dispatch newspaper �some of us have been talking to a number of names being mentioned as possible aspirants that they should all agree to back one person to face Nana Akufo-Addo in the NPP� flagbearer contest.� Pressed to name one of the aspirants who could give Nana Akufo-Addo a good run for his money, he said, �we believe that one person who is quite popular among floating voters is Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng. In addition to being popular, he is not seen to belong to either the J.A. Kufuor or Akufo-Addo factions.� Asked why the concerned MPs are not asking some of the other aspirants to back Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen to face Nana Akufo-Addo, he had this reply. �Well, Alan�s name was mentioned but the majority of the MPs feel that it will be too much of a direct Kufuor and Akufo-Addo faction �fight��� On the game plan of the MPs, if Nana Akufo-Addo decides not to contest, he explained �then we would ask the MPs to support Prof. Frimpong-Boateng against Alan Kyerematen. However, we have heard that in the event of Nana Akufo-Addo not contesting, the Akufo-Addo faction wants to present a ticket of Mahamadu Bawumia/Ken Ofori Atta. When the 'Daily Dispatch' insisted that Nana Akufo-Addo would definitely throw his hat into the ring, he then admitted, �three of the NPP 2016 slot aspirants have accepted to back Frimpong-Boateng.� As a backgrounder, below is yesterday�s story on the subject: �NPP�s 2016 Slot Frimpong-Boateng, Akufo-Addo & 4 Others Set For Battle With the declaration that he is interested in the New Patriotic Party�s (NPP) 2016 flagbearership slot, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng is getting ready to offer himself for the party�s electoral college to take a decision. The Prof., leading member of the NPP who had unsuccessfully contested in past party flagbearership primaries believes that it is time for him to lead the NPP into victory in 2016. The 2008 and 2012 NPP flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, is expected to return from his 18-week rest on Monday (Jan. 27) and is expected to declare his intention to contest to be elected as the NPP�s flagbearer, for the third time. Others who have confirmed their participation include Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku; Mr. Isaac Osei; Mr. Alan Kyerematen and Mr. Joe Ghartey. Analysts believe Mr. Ghartey is throwing his �hat� into the �ring�, to prepare himself for the 2020 presidential elections. A source close to him explained, �Joe thinks that if even Nana Addo wins in 2016, he will be more than 76 years in 2020 and likely to retire towards the 2020 elections.� It is going to be interesting if Mr. Isaac Osei will reconsider and not contest for 2016 because of certain statements he is said to have made against Nana Akufo-Addo. Mr. Osei has since denied that he made those statements. Other potential 2016 aspirants who may decide to step down if Nana contests include Mr. Dan Botwe; Mr. Osei Ameyaw; Dr. Arthur Kennedy; Mr. Boakye Agyarko; papa Owusu Ankomah and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Regarding Dr. Bawumia, he is expected to be Nana Akufo-Addo�s running mate for the third time (after 2008 & 2012) if Nana Akufo-Addo wins the right to be the NPP�s 2016 flagbearer. The others may drop out because they believe that Nana Akufo-Addo has a lot of sympathy within the NPP and contesting Nana now would mean taking �verbal shots� at him, to the displeasure of his sympathizers.