Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, has said the outcome of the New Patriotic Party’s presidential primaries was never in doubt for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s camp, insisting they relied on solid internal data rather than what he described as “fictional” polls and prophecies.
Speaking to GHOne TV after provisional results showed Dr. Bawumia in a commanding lead, Oppong Nkrumah said the victory was expected, though it comes with a heavy responsibility given the party’s current state.
He noted that Dr. Bawumia assumes leadership at a difficult moment for the NPP, following a bruising internal contest and the party’s loss in the 2024 general elections.
According to him, this explains why the flagbearer has been reflective rather than celebratory.
“Let’s admit the party is fractured as a result of this overheated campaign and the party’s pained because of the loss of the 2024 election. So he has a very huge responsibility,” he said, adding that while supporters are excited, Dr. Bawumia is “very reflective and pensive about the work that lies ahead.”
Responding to questions about polls and prophecies that had predicted a different outcome, Oppong Nkrumah dismissed them outright.
“I mean this was not in doubt as we did a lot of research across the country and engaged with the delegates. We were very clear that we were going to win,” he said.
“Sometimes you hear people doing prophecies and some sort of polls that were coming up. None of those actually gave us any worries… because we knew the real data and we knew where we had problems, but not some of those fictional things that were put out.”
He stressed that the victory should not be a moment for triumphalism but for sober reflection, noting that the real work lies in rebuilding and uniting the party.
“For us it was expected, but it is not a moment to gloat or to be overexcited. It’s a moment of sober reflection so that we’re in a position to do the very difficult work that has been laid on his shoulders,” he said.
On concerns about deep divisions within the party, especially following the intense contest with camps aligned to other aspirants, Oppong Nkrumah admitted that uniting the NPP would not be easy. However, he expressed confidence in Dr. Bawumia’s ability to manage the task.
The exercise, held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, saw an estimated 211,000 delegates voting at more than 300 centres to elect the party’s flagbearer for the 2028 general elections.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
