As voting continues in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primary on Saturday, Baba Ali Yusif, a candidate in the Ayawaso East by-election, has cast doubt on the national appeal of leading aspirant Kennedy Agyapong.
Speaking while ballots were being cast, Yusif questioned Agyapong’s political experience at the national level, asking how it could reliably measure his popularity or prospects of winning power.
“So, what then… what survey are you going to use to measure his popularity to say that he is going to win power?” he asked.
Yusif also criticised what he described as inconsistencies in Agyapong’s political presentation, including an apparent failure to properly identify the party, arguing that such issues undermined claims of broad national support. He stressed that popularity tests outside the party’s established structures could not accurately determine electoral strength.
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Reflecting on the party’s recent history, Yusif said the outcome of the 2024 elections offered the NPP important lessons as it prepares for another national contest. According to him, these experiences should guide the party in developing policies and selecting a candidate for the future.
“I believe whatever happened in 2024 has taught the NPP a lot of lessons going forward into another election with these policies,” he said.
“Certain things we did in the last eight years, I am not sure those things will repeat. We know the economic hardships during our previous era in the run-up to 2024. We know party people were not happy.”
While expressing confidence that the NPP could return to power, Yusif stressed that past challenges, particularly economic dissatisfaction among supporters, should not be ignored.
He also referenced historical comparisons within the party, noting the analogy to the 2008 elections, where Former President Nana Akufo-Addo performed strongly because of the performance of the predecessor, Former President John Agyehum Kuffour. Yusif acknowledged that voter support existed, but argued that broader economic conditions at the time played a decisive role.
“There are so many things that work against the party, and it’s not just the candidate they see. People make the analogy that in 2008, Akufo-Addo, in his first attempt, did very well, and that is true. Electoral voters supported him. But don’t forget, just check the economic indicators…” He said, emphasising that voters ultimately judge the administration in office based on prevailing economic conditions, not personalities alone.
Yusif also called on delegates to vote for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, describing him as the candidate best positioned to lead the party back to power in 2028.
The NPP is electing its flagbearer today as part of preparations for the 2028 general elections, with hundreds of thousands of delegates casting votes across multiple polling centres nationwide.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh / Abigail Boatemaa Baah
