I’m not campaigning for veep position – Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu fires back

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame and Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has reiterated that he is not campaigning to be the running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s response follows comments made by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, and Minority Chief Whip Kwame Governs Agbodza, who urged him to focus on his parliamentary responsibilities rather than engaging in campaigning for the position of running mate.

“Mr Speaker, let me state that there is no contest for running mate, and I’m not involved in campaigning for the running mate position. It should be loud and clear,” Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, November 23.

Several months ago, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stated in an interview that though he aspires to get to the highest political office like most politicians, he’s not persuading anyone to make him the running mate.

“Every police officer, after recruitment and subsequent passing out from training, aspires to become Inspector General of Police (IGP). So, when the opportunity comes, I will accept it, but I’m not lobbying Dr. Bawumia for that. That’s not the reason I’m supporting Dr Bawumia in the contest, but it is because of what I have seen in him”.

He added, “Somebody reached out to me that they have heard that Dr Bawumia is creating division between myself, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) and Dr. Yaw Adutwum over this running mate, and I laughed over it. Because I know nobody can lobby for that position because a lot of factors go into it”.

The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs has entreated members of the minority caucus to refrain from speculation and focus on the main agenda before Parliament, which is the debate on the 2024 budget statement.