Dr Asante Otchere Slams Ex MMDCEs Over Bawumia Endorsement After Meeting Ken Agyapong

Political analyst and governance lecturer Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere has taken aim at a coalition of 220 former Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) who recently threw their support behind former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the race to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into the 2028 elections.

Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Monday, June 23, Dr. Otchere described the move as “politically inconsistent”, pointing out that the same group had earlier met with flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Agyapong, only to later endorse his main contender.

■ "If You Had Chosen a Side, Stick With It"

“Inasmuch as they have the right to do so, if I were them, I wouldn’t have honoured the invitation of Mr. Kennedy Agyapong in the first place if they knew that Dr. Bawumia was the person they were going to endorse,” Dr. Otchere remarked.

He said the group’s actions raise questions about loyalty and credibility, stressing that politics should be driven by conviction, not convenience.

■ A Risky Political Bet?

Dr. Otchere further warned that their endorsement could backfire if Kennedy Agyapong eventually wins the internal contest.

“If Kennedy Agyapong wins and happens to be politically vindictive, he will side-step all these people,” he cautioned.

“He doesn’t care what will happen to his campaign. We need to do politics of principle.”

■ Background to the Controversy

The former MMDCEs, who served in various roles under the NPP administration between 2017 and 2024, met with Kennedy Agyapong earlier this year to discuss party unity and future prospects. However, in a surprising turn of events, they later publicly declared their support for Dr. Bawumia, calling him the most competent and unifying choice for the party’s future.

Their decision, announced at a high-profile press conference in Accra, has since sparked debate within party circles and among political watchers.

■ A Call for Political Maturity

Dr. Otchere urged political actors to act with foresight, maturity, and consistency in their engagements, especially in a highly polarised election environment.

“If it is Dr. Bawumia you support, go all out and endorse him. But don’t act like you are courting everyone only to make a u-turn. It weakens trust in the process,” he said.

As the NPP prepares for its internal primaries in January 2026, the stakes continue to rise — and so do the demands for principled leadership and clear loyalties.