The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, says he was not surprised by the decline in Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s vote share during the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2026 presidential primary, attributing the outcome to the intense level of competition in the race.
Speaking on Nhyira FM’s breakfast programme, Kuro Yi Mu Nsem, hosted by Barima Kofi Dawson, the lawmaker explained that the reduced margin reflects how fiercely contested the primary had become.
“Bawumia’s votes dropped from 61.4 per cent in 2023 to 56.47 per cent in 2026, and I am not surprised. It simply shows how tough and competitive the contest was,” he said.
According to Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the NPP’s 2026 presidential primary stands out as the most competitive internal election held under Ghana’s Fourth Republic, surpassing those organised by any other political party.
He urged party members to take pride in the process and outcome, noting that the contest has produced three strong frontrunners whose ideas can be strategically harnessed for the 2028 general elections.
“Every NPP member should be proud of how the presidential primary played out. Some heated words were exchanged during the campaign, but that is normal in any political contest. We will learn from it and improve going forward,” he stated.
The MP highlighted Dr Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong and Bryan Acheampong as key figures whose strengths, if combined, could form a compelling message for voters.
“We have three strong frontrunners — Dr Bawumia with very rich ideas, and Kennedy Agyapong and Bryan Acheampong with a strong job-creation mindset. If we package all these strengths well, we will have a winning narrative for the Ghanaian people ahead of 2028,” he added.
Responding to questions about whether Dr Bawumia remains the preferred choice of the wider electorate, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah said it was ordinary Ghanaians who had consistently urged party delegates to select him as flagbearer.
“Before the primary, people in marketplaces, on radio, and across the country said they would only vote for the NPP in 2028 if Bawumia led the ticket. They made it clear that their decision not to vote in 2024 had nothing to do with him,” he noted.
He further observed that the party’s grassroots base is becoming increasingly energised, describing the mood within the NPP as optimistic.
“Things are looking up, and the base is feeling more energised,” he said.
Comparing the NPP’s prospects in 2028 against any candidate the National Democratic Congress (NDC) may present, the MP cautioned that history suggests incumbent governments often struggle to secure a second consecutive term.
“Ghana’s political history since 1992 shows that ruling parties usually struggle to win a second term. That reality means the NPP must prepare thoroughly ahead of the 2028 elections,” he concluded.
