Kwadwo Mpiani, former Chief of Staff under the regime of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, has stated that the ongoing 'Thank you tour' by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) should be led by the National Chairman of the party, and not by an individual with an interest in contesting the flagbearership in the next election.

The tour, which is currently being led by the party's 2024 flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has drawn criticism from Mr Mpiani.

According to the NPP's constitution, when the party is in opposition, the national chairman assumes leadership of the party until a conference is held to elect new officers, including the flagbearer.

Commenting on the tour, Mr Mpiani argued, “If the chairman is the leader, then he should be the face of this tour, not a candidate who may want to contest again, along with others who may also be planning to stand,” he said on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Tuesday, April 29.

He also criticised the tour as a misplaced priority and questioned what Dr Bawumia was thanking the public for.

Read also: ‘What are you thanking the people for?’- Kwadwo Mpiani asks Bawumia

Mr Mpiani has since called on the party to suspend the ongoing tour and instead focus on Prof Mike Oquaye’s report on the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections.

He urged the party to address the factors that led to their loss, rather than embarking on another tour around the country.