The 2024 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has appealed to party delegates to retain him as flagbearer to ensure what he described as a “swift return to the Jubilee House.”
Addressing delegates at Adansi Asokwa in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Bawumia argued that Ghana’s electoral history demonstrates the advantages of consistency in presidential candidate selection.
He maintained that the New Patriotic Party stood its best chance of reclaiming power in 2028 by presenting him again, stressing that “no first-time candidate has ever won a presidential election in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.”
Dr. Bawumia pointed to examples from both the NPP and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to back his claim.
He recalled how former President John Agyekum Kufuor lost in 1996 before winning in 2000, how the late President John Evans Atta Mills came close in two successive elections before finally securing victory in 2008, and how former President Akufo-Addo only succeeded on his third attempt in 2016.
He also cited President John Mahama, who after defeats in 2016 and 2020, returned to win in 2024. “The pattern is clear—persistence pays. When a party invests in a candidate over time, it eventually delivers results,” he emphasized. He therefore urged delegates to consider the strategic advantage of his candidacy.
“The NPP has already invested in me, and Ghanaians know me well. I have been tested in the field, marketed over the years, and I represent the party’s best chance to win. I ask you to vote for me on January 31, 2026, so together we can translate consistency into victory”.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia
Calls for Unity
The Former Vice President, who served as the NPP’s candidate in the fiercely contested 2024 election, underscored the need for unity within the party. He insisted that victory in 2028 would depend largely on how the NPP manages its internal processes leading to the flagbearer contest.
“Our party can only win when we are united. That unity begins with delegates making the right choice of candidate—one who already carries the trust of the people and has the experience to lead from day one”.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia
Dr. Bawumia made the remarks at the beginning of a three-day engagement with constituency executives in the Ashanti Region, considered the party’s electoral stronghold.
The regional tour, his campaign team explained, was aimed at formally notifying constituency executives of his intention to embark on a nationwide campaign and to provide a platform for direct engagement with polling station delegates.
According to his aides, the interactions will allow him to present his case for why continuity in candidate selection is essential to the NPP’s chances of recapturing power.
The campaign team believes that his proven track record, broad appeal across the country, and ability to unify the party after the 2024 defeat position him as the most viable option.
Throughout his address, Dr. Bawumia repeatedly linked his message to the theme of consistency, insisting that the party should avoid the temptation of changing its candidate at a critical time.
“Starting over with a new face would be costly and risky. The electorate already knows my policies, my temperament, and my vision. That is why I am confident that I remain the most prepared and winnable candidate among all the aspirants”.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia
He also noted that the January 31, 2026 contest would be a defining moment for the party. “It is not just about choosing a flagbearer. It is about whether the NPP wants to take the surest path to victory or gamble with uncertainty. History and logic show that sticking with me as flagbearer is the right choice,” Dr. Bawumia concluded.
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