Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has declared that the party’s presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is building momentum and gaining traction in the lead-up to the December elections, signaling a potential surge in support for his bid.
A recent survey conducted by Professor Smart Sarpong, Director of Research and Innovation at Kumasi Technical University, reveals that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has emerged as the front-runner in the 2024 presidential race, with a significant 38.9% of respondents expressing their preference for him as the next head of state.
The research indicates that John Dramani Mahama, the presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), trails closely behind with a margin of 2.8%, garnering 36.1% of the votes, narrowly behind the leading candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Gabby Otchere-Darko observed that the survey findings indicate a significant surge in Dr. Bawumia’s popularity, suggesting that he is resonating with the electorate and gaining traction among the party’s base, a trend that bodes well for his prospects in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
“So, the positive aspect of this poll is it doesn’t mean that Bawumia will win the election. But I think the positive aspect is that it appears his candidacy is gaining traction. And if it’s gaining traction, it should help his base in tackling the apathy that is there”.
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko
Furthermore, Otchere-Darko noted that apathy is a significant hurdle for an incumbent party, but emphasized that a candidate’s base is more likely to be reinvigorated and motivated to vote if they perceive the candidate as having a strong chance of winning.
As such, he highlighted the importance of momentum and perceived electability in driving voter enthusiasm and turnout.
Gabby Otchere-Darko further explained that an incumbent’s chances of winning an election largely depend on overcoming apathy, as a part of the population might be dissatisfied due to unmet expectations.
He also elaborated that an incumbent’s path to reelection hinges on overcoming voter apathy, which can be a significant obstacle when a portion of the electorate feels disillusioned or disenchanted due to unfulfilled promises or unmet expectations, leading to a disconnect between the government and its constituents.
“People who voted for you, expectations in this country, like many others, are sometimes too high”. – Gabby Otchere-Darko
Revitalizing A Complacent Base, Incumbent’s Dilemma
Furthermore, Gabby Otchere-Darko pointed out that the biggest challenge for an incumbent party is to revitalize its supporter base, which can become increasingly apathetic, while also facing a formidable opposition that is driven by a strong desire to gain power, making it essential to reinvigorate voter enthusiasm and loyalty.
He suggested that the opposition’s intense desire for power inherently motivates them to be more enthusiastic and driven, stating that it is only natural for them to be “more energized” and dedicated to their cause than the incumbent, who may be complacent or struggling to maintain momentum.
“And then when you’re an incumbent, there are those who think that maybe we haven’t benefitted and are unhappy with one or two things”. – Gabby Otchere-Darko
Meanwhile, the NPP disclosed that its flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, intends to submit his chosen running mate’s name to the party’s National Council for approval.
Nana Akomea, Chairman of the NPP’s campaign team, revealed that Dr. Bawumia is expected to unveil his chosen running mate by the end of June, but interestingly, the campaign team is still in the dark about the identity of the selected individual, indicating a closely guarded decision.
“We told him to take all the time he needed to make all the consultations that he felt he had to do. So, Bawumia was elected just about six months ago, so it is not that late. But I can assure you that in this month of June, he will announce his running mate. He will bring a name to the National Council”.
Nana Akomea
