Former leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alan Kyerematen has revealed a secret about former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
Alan Kyerematen who had vyied to lead the NPP as its Presidential Candidate, faced stiffed opposition from members of the party.
Alan who has been side stepped on several occasions for Presidential Candidate, as party executives have always pleaded with him to give others the opportunity to lead first.
It is well known that he did same for President Akufo-Addo but what we never knew was that he was asked to step down from the party’s presidential race in 2007 because he was seen as the candidate most likely to defeat former President John Kufuor.
In an interview with a local radio station, Kyerematen disclosed that party elders and other influential figures within the NPP urged him to withdraw from the race in order to avoid a potentially divisive leadership contest.
Despite initially refusing to comply with their request, Kyerematen eventually acquiesced and threw his support behind Kufuor, who went on to secure a second term in office.
Kyerematen’s revelation sheds new light on the internal dynamics of the NPP during the 2007 presidential campaign, which saw Kufuor facing off against his former Trade and Industry Minister in a closely fought contest. While Kufuor ultimately emerged victorious, Kyerematen’s decision to bow out of the race may have played a crucial role in ensuring party unity and cohesion during the election.
Alan Kyerematen however did not want to be side stepped in the 2024 general elections. According to an agreement between him and President Akuffo-Addo and the party’s leadership, Alan after stepping down from contesting Akufo-Addo in the Flagbearer race was supposed to succeed Akufo-Addo as the next Flagbearer.
However, when the time came, the party refused, favoring Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to lead the party as its Flagbearer.
Alan Kyerematen who had waited all these years for his chance would not have it, leading to his resignation and the formation of the Movement For Change to contest in the 2024 presidential race.
