Minority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin, has publicly pledged the unflinching loyalty of the New Patriotic Party Minority Caucus to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, following his decisive victory in the party’s presidential primaries.
The pledge was made during a meeting at Dr. Bawumia’s residence, at a time when the party is consolidating its ranks ahead of the 2028 general elections. Hon. Afenyo Markin’s remarks were brief but emphatic, underscoring unity, discipline, and commitment to the party’s chosen flagbearer.
He stated that the Minority Caucus in Parliament stood firmly with Dr. Bawumia and would serve as a key vehicle for advancing his vision within the legislative chamber.
According to him, Parliament would play a central role in articulating, defending, and promoting the policy direction of the flagbearer on the floor of the House as the party prepares for a return to power.
“As a leader of the caucus, my loyalty to the party’s cause and our flag bearer is on solid ground,” he said, adding that the discussion with Dr. Bawumia focused squarely on unity and collective purpose.
He stressed that the call for unity from the flagbearer would be fully embraced by the Minority, declaring their resolve to rally behind him and work towards electoral victory in 2028. His closing words, delivered with certainty, were that the caucus would deliver and remain focused on the task ahead.
The statement comes against the backdrop of Dr. Bawumia’s formal declaration as the flagbearer elect of the New Patriotic Party after the presidential primaries held on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Dr. Bawumia secured a commanding victory, polling 110,645 votes, which represented 56.48 percent of the total valid votes cast.
By crossing the required majority threshold, he clinched the contest outright and positioned himself as the party’s candidate for the 2028 general elections. His closest challenger, businessman and former Assin Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, placed second with 46,554 votes, accounting for 23.76 percent.
Former Minister for Food and Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, came third with 36,303 votes, representing 18.53 percent of the votes cast. The outcome reflected a competitive but decisive internal contest that tested party cohesion and leadership strength.
In the immediate aftermath of the primaries, speculation emerged within political circles about internal realignments in Parliament, particularly regarding the position of the Minority Leader.
Rumours suggested that Dr. Bawumia’s camp might consider pushing for the removal of Hon. Afenyo Markin due to perceptions of his closeness to Mr. Kennedy Agyapong, who was Dr. Bawumia’s strongest contender in the race.
These rumours were fueled further by the fact that Mr. Agyapong won convincingly in the Effutu constituency during the primaries, a development that led some supporters of Dr. Bawumia to infer that the Minority Leader may have quietly supported the former Assin Central MP.
Hon. Afenyo Markin did not publicly endorse any candidate during the primaries, a position he maintained throughout the contest. His latest declaration, however, appears intended to put to rest any doubts about his allegiance and to reaffirm his commitment to party unity under the leadership of the duly elected flagbearer.
By explicitly aligning himself and the Minority Caucus with Dr. Bawumia, he signaled a readiness to move beyond the internal contest and focus on the broader objective of winning the next national election.
The meeting between the two leaders is widely seen as an important gesture in stabilizing the parliamentary front of the party. With the New Patriotic Party currently in opposition, the Minority Caucus plays a strategic role in shaping public debate, scrutinizing government policy, and projecting the party’s alternative vision.
Hon. Afenyo Markin’s assurance that Parliament would carry Dr. Bawumia’s vision suggests a coordinated approach between the party’s executive leadership and its lawmakers.
As the party transitions from an internal competitive phase to a unifying campaign mode, signals of cohesion from senior figures are expected to resonate with grassroots supporters and undecided voters alike.
Dr. Bawumia has repeatedly emphasized unity as a prerequisite for electoral success, and the Minority Leader’s pledge aligns with that message. The coming months are likely to test the strength of this unity as the party reorganizes its structures and sharpens its message for the 2028 contest.
For now, the public affirmation of loyalty from the Minority Leader marks a significant step in consolidating support around the flagbearer and reinforcing the narrative that the New Patriotic Party is closing ranks in preparation for the political battle ahead.
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