Afenyo-Markin Dismisses Allegations of Voter Manipulation Amidst Deep-Rooted Party Power Struggles in Effutu NPP Primaries

Minority Leader and Effutu Member of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has publicly rejected allegations that he attempted to sway voters during the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) flagbearer election in the Effutu Constituency. In a statement issued on Saturday, January 31, 2026, Afenyo-Markin labeled the claims circulating on social media as false and misleading, yet such allegations reflect the ongoing crisis of transparency and accountability within the NPP’s internal processes. He asserted his adherence to Electoral Commission and party guidelines, stating, "At no time have I been anywhere near the voting area as claimed, nor have I engaged in any conduct that could be construed, even remotely, as undue influence."

Afenyo-Markin attributed the allegations to a campaign of misinformation targeting him since the start of the flagbearer contest. He referenced a previous incident involving a manipulated video suggesting he refused to applaud a candidate during the NPP peace pact signing on January 22, 2026, calling these tactics "as transparent as they are desperate." Such smear campaigns are symptomatic of a political culture where power struggles and factionalism undermine genuine democratic participation and erode trust in party leadership.

The Effutu MP clarified that his presence in the constituency on voting day was limited to casting his ballot and performing lawful oversight duties in line with electoral rules. He urged the Electoral Commission, security agencies, and political actors to remain vigilant and prioritize peace, transparency, and democratic integrity. However, these appeals ring hollow without meaningful reforms to address the systemic issues that allow such allegations to persist. Afenyo-Markin also invited journalists, observers, and members of the public to independently verify the facts in Winneba, stating, "I welcome anyone who wishes to verify the facts for themselves to come to Winneba and observe the process first-hand."

He cautioned against the spread of misinformation and appealed to party supporters to allow the process to proceed without interference, emphasizing that "truth and transparency are our strongest defense against falsehood." Yet, as long as entrenched interests dominate party primaries, the struggle for real democracy within the NPP and Ghanaian politics as a whole remains unfinished.