Minority Leader and Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin has ruled out the possibility of serving as the running mate to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the next general election.
Speaking on Asaase Radio in Kumasi on Monday, August 10, 2026, Afenyo-Markin said he had no interest in the position and appealed to members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to stop speculating about potential candidates.
He argued that the growing discussions around the running mate position were creating unnecessary competition among party members and could lead to divisions within the party.
“Let’s stop the needless competitions on the running mate issue. Please count me out. I beg you, let’s stop it. There are senior members in the party. NAPO was the man’s running mate,” he said.
The Effutu MP insisted that he was not pursuing the position and did not consider himself driven by personal political ambition.
“Please don’t lead me into that temptation. I’m not one of those overly ambitious people. I’m very serious about this. I don’t know why you said that, but there are senior members in the party,” he added.
Afenyo-Markin said his priority was to contribute to Bawumia’s presidential campaign rather than position himself for a higher role.
“I won’t want this to bring any enmity. Let me serve where I’m serving to help the man become president,” he stated.
His comments come as speculation continues within the NPP over the identity of the person who could eventually be selected as Bawumia’s running mate for the next general election.
For now, Afenyo-Markin has made his position clear, saying he would rather concentrate on his current role and support Bawumia’s bid for the presidency.
