Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has dismissed claims that the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate search is designed to protect Members of Parliament (MPs) who supported Dr Mahamudu Bawumia during the party’s presidential primaries.

Speaking on Oyerepa TV, the former Minister for Parliamentary Affairs described the claim as “completely false,” insisting the exercise aims to identify viable candidates who can improve the party’s chances of winning general elections.

“We are not doing it to protect anyone; there is no truth in that,” he stressed.

Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu explained that the party’s research seeks to identify candidates popular with their constituents and capable of winning elections, rather than letting party members decide based solely on personal interests or material benefits.

He argued that some candidates may enjoy constituent support but struggle in general elections because they fail to stay consistently engaged with the people they represent.

According to him, some politicians only become visible as elections approach, using the distribution of items to attract support rather than building lasting relationships with constituents.

He said the candidate search therefore aims to identify individuals who can sustain public support and contribute to the NPP's electoral success.