The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed any suggestion that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia poses a political threat ahead of the next general election, insisting that even if the New Patriotic Party (NPP) fields him “a thousand times,” he will lose every time.
This bold assertion came from Hamza Suhuyini Sayibu, a communicator for the NDC, who expressed unwavering confidence in the governing party’s position and performance.
Speaking critically of the current state of leadership within the opposition NPP, Suhuyini Sayibu declared that the party was suffering from a glaring deficit in credible and authoritative figures, both at the national executive level and within its broader political hierarchy.
According to him, the NPP’s failure began at its last internal congress, which, despite being conducted while the party was in government, saw the election of individuals he described as lacking the requisite leadership qualities to guide a political organization.
“I agree completely when it was indicated that the problem with the NPP today has to do with leadership, unfortunately. They went into congress – and elected all kinds of people”
Hamza Suhuyini, NDC Communications Team Member
He further emphasized that in previous years, a strong former flagbearer, such as Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo after the 2008 defeat, provided the sort of towering figure the party could rally around.
“There was no need for an early congress because even though he lost, everybody knew and it was clear that if Nana-Addo had gone for elections the next year, Nana-Addo would win”
Hamza Suhuyini, NDC Communications Team Member
Bawumia Lacks Authority
Turning his attention to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s 2024 flagbearer and former Vice President, Suhuyini stated plainly that Dr. Bawumia had failed to fill the leadership void within the party.
He accused him of lacking the “strength, acceptance, and charisma,” to inspire confidence among party members and the electorate.
“Today, there’s a huge leadership void in the New Patriotic Party and unfortunately, the past flagbearer himself is not carved out as a leader. I make reference to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
“We are dealing with a man who is so meek and weak that he’s struggling to find his bearing even within the politics of the New Patriotic Party. He’s canvassing for acceptance. He’s not accepted even after 16 years of supporting and sacrificing for the New Patriotic Party”
Hamza Suhuyini, NDC Communications Team Member
Suhuyini noted that rather than commanding authority within the NPP like leaders have in the past, Dr. Bawumia is instead attempting to secure internal legitimacy, which he believes is still elusive given the divisiveness of the party’s current base.
He concluded that despite efforts to position him as the face of the NPP, Dr. Bawumia ultimately does not possess the qualities required to unify or energize the party for its future ambitions nor current needs.
Confidence Without Complacency
Addressing the broader political stakes, Suhuyini Sayibu was adamant that the NDC remained unshaken by Dr. Bawumia’s re-emergence in the political space. “If they bring Dr. Bawumia a thousand times, the NDC would beat him a thousand times,” he said emphatically.
However, he cautioned against complacency and recalled how in 2016, many, particularly the NPP, had written off then-President John Dramani Mahama. “They told the whole nation that there was no way His Excellency President Mahama could ever become President again,” only for him to return to power in 2025.
That “history lesson,” he said, will guide the NDC’s approach, should Dr. Bawumia emerge as the flagbearer of the NPP for the 2028 elections. He maintained that the NDC would not rely on past victories but instead continue to earn the trust of Ghanaians through governance.
“We would convince the Ghanaian people by the work that we do as a government why there wouldn’t be the need for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to be brought to the presidency”
Hamza Suhuyini, NDC Communications Team Member
According to Suhuyini, the NDC’s strategy going forward is not anchored in rhetoric or overconfidence, but in consistent delivery and engagement. “I can assure you of that,” he concluded.
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