In a powerful post-election speech to party supporters, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 presidential candidate, emphasised unity and internal reconciliation as the party sets out on a national “Thank You Tour.”
The former Vice President spoke openly about the party’s loss in the 2024 general elections at the NPP headquarters prior to the tour, describing it as a self-inflicted setback that was primarily caused by voter apathy within the party’s own base.
“The fact is, we worked very hard. We tried to get everybody involved. Notwithstanding our hard work, however, we still suffered a heavy defeat. And when you look at what happened, you will see that it was internal. Many of our supporters did not come out to vote.”
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP 2024 Presidential Candidate
He claimed that the NPP experienced a sharp decline in support—an estimated 2.1 million party members did not turn out to vote—while President John Mahama’s vote total only slightly increased from 2020.
“That is essentially the reason we lost,” he stated, emphasizing that “the NPP holds the key to future success; We are the ones who possess it”.
Dr. Bawumia deviated from customary post-election actions by using the opportunity to express gratitude to supporters and to make a strong plea for reflection and unity.
Dr. Bawumia’s warning that the NPP would continue to struggle electorally without unity struck a deep chord with people who were deeply concerned about the party’s internal cohesion.
He made it clear that internal primary wins should not take precedence over the development of party machinery capable of winning general elections.
“A primary victory is meaningless if you are unable to win a general election“. He warned, “It is a failed victory.”
All-Inclusive Thank You Tour
Dr. Bawumia announced an unconventionally reorganized “Thank You Tour” as a sign of his dedication to party unity and rebuilding ahead of the 2028 general elctions.
In contrast to past leaders like former President John Agyekum Kufuor and former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Dr. Bawumia is making amends with his former rivals in the party’s presidential primary.
He invited them to join him on the tour as a united front, a symbolic gesture aimed at rebuilding trust and morale among the rank and file.
“This time, I want unity, and that is why I have said that I want to go with the party leadership and also invite my former contestants… so that we all show a united front for the party, so that we can build on it going forward.”
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP 2024 Presidential Candidate
His comments also reminded party members that strategy and reconciliation are key to winning in 2028, and that the road to victory starts now.
Invoking the well-known proverb, “United we stand, divided we fall,” he reiterated, “Remember, unity is the key.“
In closing, Dr. Bawumia expressed his deep respect for a father figure he affectionately called “Uncle Tedda,” who, he recalled, always emphasized the value of teamwork.
“So let’s come together and and I know that the elephant is a winning symbol and we are going to go ahead to achieve victory”.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP 2024 Presidential Candidate
Wide-ranging conversations about the need for reform, reflection, and party revitalization have been triggered by the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections.
Dr Bawumia’s message contributes to that conversation by emphasizing unity as a moral requirement for a party looking for atonement and revival, in addition to being a political tactic.
With Dr. Bawumia’s focus on unity and a long-term goal that goes beyond intra-party competitions, the tour could be a thank-you gesture as well as a crucial exercise in restoring the party’s strength and confidence, which will be necessary for it to regain power soon.
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