Fisheries Minister Mavis Hawa Koomson has cautioned former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Obuasi East, Edward Ennin, to refrain from criticizing Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and his presidential flagbearership bid.

Minister Koomson, noting Ennin's membership in the NPP, expressed her concern over his consistent support for Alan Kyerematen, who withdrew from the NPP's flagbearership race and subsequently left the party.

She advised him to concentrate on his chosen candidate, who is currently planning to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 elections.

Ennin's recent criticism of Bawumia took place during an appearance on Accra-based Okay FM, where he alleged on October 27 that the Vice President's camp was involved in bribery activities with delegates through high-ranking government officials in preparation for the presidential primaries scheduled for November 4.

In response to these claims, Hawa Koomson called into the program to clarify the situation and issue a warning to Mr Ennin to refrain from targeting Dr Bawumia.

“He should have some discipline and stay off Dr. Bawumia who is the choice of the party. Ennin is on record to have said his candidate is Alan, he should focus on his candidate and remove Bawumia’s name from his mouth," she submitted.

Hawa Koomson accused Mr Edward Ennin of resorting to tribal politics through his criticisms of Bawumia. She pointed out that the allegations that "President" Bawumia would protect current government appointees implicated in corruption would also implicate his leader, Alan Kyerematen.

“If he comes to speak as he wants, we will all come on board even though I haven’t made up my mind to get into any confrontation, let’s all advocate for our candidates…I am a 100% northern woman and a proud one at that.

“Some of his pronouncements anger us, it takes votes from the north and Volta regions to give the party victory, he should remain focused and leave us alone.” she stressed.

Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong will be in the running for the NPP's flagbearership, alongside three other contenders: Dr. Bawumia, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai-Nimoh.

The NPP has scheduled the election to choose the party's leader to succeed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for November 4, 2023.