Choicenewsonline Your Choice Is Here
A group of traders in Kumasi has cautioned the National Executive Council (NEC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) against endorsing Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the party’s flagbearer for the 2028 elections.
The traders, who identify as Concerned NPP Traders of Kumasi, argue that if the party hopes to return to power soon, it must present a more “winnable” candidate rather than repeating what they describe as the “mistake” of 2024.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the group’s coordinator, Benjamin Ofori, stated that beyond unpopular government policies that led to public discontent, the choice of Dr. Bawumia as flagbearer significantly contributed to the party’s defeat in the last elections.
“The results of the 2024 elections show that the NPP had the wrong candidate in Dr. Bawumia. Not only did he fail to secure the northern and Zongo votes as expected, but he also presided over the party’s worst electoral performance in history,” Mr. Ofori remarked.
According to the group, the NPP lost four out of the five northern regions, despite Bawumia’s northern background, and suffered its most significant parliamentary losses since 1992. They also highlighted the party’s failure to secure a single parliamentary seat in the Upper East and Upper West Regions.
The traders further pointed out that while Dr. Bawumia was expected to appeal to Muslim voters, the party lost support in several Zongo communities, while many NPP-leaning Christian voters reportedly abstained from voting.
The press statement emphasized that under Bawumia’s leadership, the NPP lost over 2.1 million votes nationwide compared to the 2020 elections, along with 58 parliamentary seats. The group also lamented the loss of over 400,000 votes in the party’s stronghold, the Ashanti Region, representing a 24% decline from the previous elections.
“The claim that Dr. Bawumia deserves another chance, just as President Akufo-Addo contested multiple times before winning, is flawed,” the statement read. “Unlike Akufo-Addo, who garnered 49.7% in 2008 and 47.7% in 2012, Dr. Bawumia only managed 38.40% in 2024—a clear rejection by the electorate.”
The traders warned that any attempts to push for Bawumia’s candidacy again would only extend the party’s stay in opposition, potentially for another 12 years. They called on the party’s leadership to reflect on the 2024 defeat and make the necessary changes to enhance its chances in the next elections.
They also urged NPP members to resist any efforts to impose Dr. Bawumia on the party for 2028, stressing the need for a fresh candidate capable of reconnecting with the electorate and restoring trust in the party.
“Long live NPP, long live Ghana,”
Thank you
