The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Joseph Osei Owusu (Joewise) has said Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has enormous 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 is an indication of the support he enjoys with the party.

The Bekwai Member of Parliament said “All 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 came with him to demonstrate or support for his bid to lead the NPP in the flagbeareship race.

“That is why all of us are here today to support him to greet the Otumfuo and also for us to pay homage to Otumfuo on Akwasiadae.”

He added “The number of MPs and Ministers following Dr Bawumia demonstrates the support he has within the leadership of the party and even within the rank and file of the party, it shows that in the competition to lead the NPP Dr Bawumia is high above everybody else.

“Those who supported the other candidates have followed him to come and greet Otumfuo so why would the rest of us who support Dr Bawumia not follow him?

“There is no controversy, in competition, it is a choice and everybody is able to choose freely, so this is a free choice.”