The 2024 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged party delegates to maintain him as the party’s flagbearer, stressing that consistency in leadership offers the surest path for the NPP’s return to the Jubilee House.
Speaking at Adansi Asokwa in the Ashanti Region during is tour, Dr. Bawumia cited Ghana’s electoral history to argue that voters often reward political parties that demonstrate consistency in presenting their presidential candidate.
“The data shows that every outgoing President has handed over to someone they once contested against in a previous election,” he explained, adding that retaining him for the 2028 general election would give the NPP a clear advantage.
Dr. Bawumia backed his point with examples from both NPP and NDC records under the 4th Republic.
He stated, “In 1996, NPP presented J.A. Kufuor, who obtained 39% of votes. The party presented him again in 2000 and he won. The late Prof. Atta Mills garnered 43% in 2000, was presented again in 2004 and got 44%, and in 2008, he finally won.
Nana Akufo-Addo contested in 2008 and 2012 without success but won in 2016. John Mahama contested in 2016 and 2020 and lost both, but was maintained in 2024, and he won. This shows clearly that maintaining faith with a candidate over more than an election cycle pays, irrespective of party.”
The former Vice President is on a three-day engagement with constituency executives in the Ashanti Region, ahead of his broader national campaign leading into the party’s flagbearer contest.
According to his campaign team, the engagements are meant to formally notify executives of his intention to tour their constituencies and interact with polling station delegates.
Expanding on electoral dynamics, Dr. Bawumia highlighted another historical trend stating, “Since 1992, every President has handed over to someone he had contested against earlier. President Rawlings handed over to President Kufuor, who he contested against in 1996. President Kufuor handed over to Prof. Mills, who he contested against in 2000 and 2004.
President Mahama handed over to President Akufo-Addo, who he contested against in 2012. President Akufo-Addo handed over to President Mahama. With President Mahama set to hand over in 2029, if the trend continues, and there is no reason why it shouldn’t, he will be handing over to President-elect Mahamudu Bawumia—unless we (NPP) present a new candidate. The data also shows no first-timer has won Ghana’s presidential elections.”
Positioning himself as the most viable choice, Dr. Bawumia stressed, “The trend shows that maintaining faith with a candidate is very beneficial, especially in marketing the flagbearer. I am the most marketed, prepared and winnable candidate among all the aspirants.
No one in Ghana can say he or she has not heard of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. My character, temperament and unifying nature are well known. I urge you to vote for me on 31st January to lock in the benefits of maintaining a presidential candidate. We can win 2028 if we approach it with a united front.”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
