The Technical Advisor at the Office of the Vice President, Dr Tiah Abdul-Kabiru Mahama says Dr Mahamudu Bawumia's team was not caught off guard by the withdrawal of Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen from the party's flagbearership race.

He stated that the party had anticipated Mr Kyerematen's decision, believing that he has recognised his fate in the party’s November primaries.

According to Mr Mahama, when individuals have presidential ambitions, they must assess whether their candidacy makes sense and whether they can make an impact.

Speaking to JoyNews on Wednesday, September 6, Mr Mahama stated that if he were in Mr Kyerematen's position, he would have made the same choice.

He explained that the former Trade and Industry Minister consulted with political experts who advised him to withdraw from the race.

“So when we heard of the intended press conference to be organised by Mr Alan Kyerematen, we were clear in our minds that, that probably was going to be a platform to share with his supporters that he was no more on the road and that he has gotten to the round of the runway and it was going to be a difficult decision to take off so he would rather stop the plane than to crash in the plane.”

Mr Mahama asserted that Mr Kyerematen's withdrawal from the party's flagbearer race did not surprise them.

“So it didn’t come to us as a surprise at all. What is different from the reasons Mr Alan Kyerematen gave for his resignation in 2008 or when he lost the elections to Nana Akufo-Addo? If you listen to the reasons, he mentioned then that there were intimidations of his party supporters across the country, the same reasons are given to us today by Mr Alan Kyerematen as the reasons why he is no more contesting,” Mr Mahama said.

He added that the spirit of the NPP currently supports the candidacy of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, implying that Mr Kyerematen's decision to withdraw from the flagbearer race aligns with the party's direction.

The Technical Advisor at the Office of the Vice President noted that instead of Mr Kyerematen blaming skewed voter registration, he should take responsibility for his performance, as shifting blame is unproductive.