The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Joseph Osei Owusu (Joewise) has said Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia includes tremendous support within the rank and file of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to lead the party as leader into the 2024 general elections.
He said the number of NPP Members of Parliament and Ministers of States who followed Dr Baswumia to Manhyia palace in Kumasi for the second Akwasiadae of the year, 2023 means that the support he enjoys with the party.
The Bekwai Member of Parliament said "Every one of the MPs and ministers following Dr Bawumia are ministers and MPs who support the bid of Dr Bawumia to lead the NPP in the flagbeareship race. So we accompanied him to show or support for his bid to lead the NPP in the flagbeareship race.
"To that end us all are here today to help him to welcome the Otumfuo and also for us to give recognition to Otumfuo on Akwasiadae."
He added "The number of MPs and Ministers following Dr Bawumia exhibits the support he has within the leadership of the party and, surprisingly, within the rank and file of the party, it shows that in the competition to lead the NPP Dr Bawumia is high above every other person.
"The people who upheld different up-and-comers have followed him to come and welcome Otumfuo so how could most of us who support Dr Bawumia not follow him?
"There is no discussion, in contest, it is a decision and everyone can pick unreservedly, so this is a free decision."