A New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has doubled down on his claim that former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is a “liar,” insisting he will not retract the remark despite calls for calm and unity following the party’s Peace Pact signing.
Agyapong’s renewed defiance comes amid growing pressure from party supporters and stakeholders urging restraint after the peace agreement was signed to promote unity ahead of the party’s internal contest.
In the wake of the backlash, a statement purportedly issued by his campaign team and bearing his name circulated on social media, apologising to Dr Bawumia.
However, the Campaign Spokesperson for Team Ken, Kwasi Kwarteng, Esq., has denied issuing the statement, stressing that Agyapong has not apologised and still stands by his comments.
Following the Peace Pact event, Agyapong was later seen addressing supporters, reiterating that he would not apologise.
“I will not apologise. I will apologise my foot. I don’t fear anybody,” he said, insisting he would not be pressured into withdrawing the “Bawumia is a liar” remark.
Agyapong explained that his comments formed part of his account of events at the Peace Pact ceremony, where he claimed he resisted pressure to sign the document until what he described as errors in the pact were addressed.
According to him, he was the only aspirant who identified “glaring mistakes” in the document, while others, including highly educated party members, allegedly failed to scrutinise it adequately.
“Even PhD holders couldn’t see the mistakes,” he said, warning that signing documents without careful review was dangerous and likening it to “signing your own death warrant.”
He maintained that his refusal to back down demonstrated his commitment to speaking his mind and his unwillingness to compromise his style for political convenience as the party heads into a tense primary contest.
Meanwhile, political analysts say Agyapong’s posture risks undermining the spirit of unity the Peace Pact was intended to promote.
They argue that continuing verbal attacks after signing a peace agreement sends mixed signals about commitment to restraint and cohesion within the party.
Some analysts also believe the contrast in responses could work in favour of Vice President Bawumia.
“A Vice President does not need to trade insults to win credibility. The contrast between restraint and provocation often speaks for itself,” a political science lecturer, who requested anonymity, noted.
Observers further caution that internal divisions and escalating rhetoric could deepen cracks within the party at a time when leadership is urging unity ahead of crucial national elections.
