Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has emphasised that his long-standing personal relationship with Kennedy Agyapong remains firmly intact, despite the political rivalry that characterised the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) recent presidential primary.

He said the friendship he shares with the former Assin Central MP is anchored in trust, mutual respect and loyalty—principles he believes should not be sacrificed in the pursuit of political ambition.

In the just-ended NPP presidential primaries, Mr Agyapong emerged as the preferred choice of delegates in the Effutu Constituency, polling 644 votes. Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia secured 79 votes, while Dr Bryan Acheampong followed with 32.

Addressing party stakeholders in Effutu on Sunday, February 1, 2026, Mr Afenyo-Markin said personal loyalty remains a defining value in his life, regardless of political developments.

“For me, this is a friend—true and trusting—with whom I share a code. In all situations, loyalty to friendship is essential. A man must never forget his friend, because forgetting a friend is fundamentally wrong,” he stated.

He explained that although Mr Agyapong contested the party’s flagbearership, the process did not affect their relationship, as both men recognise that the collective interest of the NPP must supersede individual aspirations.

“My relationship with him remains solid and unbroken. He understands, as I do, that the party must always come first,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said.

Within that spirit of unity, he disclosed that Mr Agyapong had personally reached out to Dr Bawumia to congratulate and pledge his support following the conclusion of the primaries.

“I am happy to inform you that yesterday, without any prompting, he called Dr Bawumia. It was a brief but meaningful conversation to assure him of his support for the 2028 election,” he revealed.

Mr Afenyo-Markin described the gesture as a clear signal of Mr Agyapong’s commitment to party cohesion and expressed confidence that such bonds among party leaders would strengthen the NPP’s resolve ahead of the 2028 general elections.

He added that with stakeholders working together in unity and good faith, the party would be well positioned to reclaim power in the next polls.