A powerful wave of endorsement has gathered behind former Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, significantly strengthening his prospects ahead of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primaries and reinforcing his standing as the frontrunner to lead the party into the 2028 general elections.
At a press conference in Accra on Thursday, January 8, 2026, a bloc of 118 former NPP parliamentary candidates who contested the 2024 general elections formally declared their support for Dr. Bawumia’s presidential bid.
Coming just weeks before the party’s primaries scheduled for January 31, the endorsement represents one of the most coordinated and influential demonstrations of internal party support in recent NPP history.
The declaration adds to growing momentum around the former Vice President, following earlier endorsements from sitting Members of Parliament.
Already, 67 lawmakers are reported to have publicly aligned themselves with Dr. Bawumia’s candidacy, underscoring a broad coalition that spans both current power centres and grassroots political actors within the party.
A strategic endorsement from the grassroots frontline
Speaking on behalf of the group, former Sekondi Member of Parliament and former Deputy Minister for Energy, Andrew Agyapa Mercer, said the endorsement was the product of months of deep consultation and reflection across the party’s structures nationwide.
He described the move as a voluntary, principled and strategic decision aimed at unifying the party and positioning it strongly for victory in 2028.
According to him, the former parliamentary candidates were uniquely placed to assess the mood of the electorate, having campaigned extensively at the constituency level during the 2024 elections.
That experience, he explained, offered direct exposure to the aspirations, frustrations and expectations of ordinary party supporters and floating voters alike.
“After extensive engagements with polling station executives, electoral area coordinators, constituency executives, former executives, elders, patrons, youth groups, market women, farmers, fisherfolk, business owners, religious leaders and traditional authorities, it became overwhelmingly clear that Dr. Bawumia is the most prepared, competent and unifying figure to lead our party at this time,” Mr. Mercer stated.
He was emphatic that the decision was neither induced nor coerced, stressing that it emerged from what he described as sober reflection and a deep sense of duty to the party and the nation.
“This decision is not borne out of inducement or coercion. It is rooted in responsibility to the NPP and to Ghana,” he added.
Why Bawumia stands out
In outlining the rationale behind the endorsement, Mr. Mercer presented Dr. Bawumia as a leader whose credentials, experience and national appeal place him above his competitors in the race.
He cited the former Vice-President’s central role in Ghana’s digital transformation agenda, economic policy formulation and public sector reform as key indicators of readiness for the presidency.
Among the achievements highlighted were the Ghana Card rollout, mobile money interoperability, digitisation of public records and services, and macroeconomic interventions such as the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, which has contributed to currency stabilisation and improved reserves.
“Dr. Bawumia has demonstrated competence, integrity, humility and an unmatched commitment to Ghana’s development,” Mr. Mercer said.“His record shows clearly that he is the most consequential Vice President of the Fourth Republic. None of the other aspirants matches his combined experience, intellect and readiness to lead.”
The group argued that in a political environment where voters are increasingly demanding results-driven leadership, Dr. Bawumia’s track record offers the NPP its strongest chance of reconnecting with the electorate and rebuilding confidence ahead of the next general election.
Grassroots empowerment as a political advantage
Beyond past performance, the endorsers also pointed to Dr. Bawumia’s proposed reforms aimed at strengthening the welfare and relevance of the party’s grassroots.
These include a commitment to ensure that each constituency benefits from at least ten high-level government appointments, the creation of a comprehensive welfare database for party members, and a constituency-based budgeting system to support local development initiatives.
According to the group, these proposals resonate strongly with party activists who often feel disconnected from the benefits of political power despite their sacrifices on the ground.
“These are not mere promises,” Mr. Mercer noted. “They are practical and transformative measures that recognise the work of party members and ensure inclusiveness across all constituencies.”
He stressed that the endorsement was not driven by the personal political ambitions of the former candidates, many of whom are yet to decide whether they will contest future parliamentary primaries.
“Whether we run again or not is immaterial. This is about the future of the party and the prosperity of our country,” he said.
Implications for the 2028 race
Politically, the endorsement by 118 former parliamentary candidates carries significant weight.
These are individuals with established networks, campaign experience and local credibility, many of whom remain influential voices within their constituencies despite losing their seats.
Their collective backing strengthens Dr. Bawumia’s organisational reach and enhances his ability to mobilise support across regions.
When combined with the backing of sitting MPs, the endorsement suggests a growing consensus within the party’s political class around Dr. Bawumia’s leadership.
Analysts say this alignment could prove decisive in the primaries by narrowing internal divisions and projecting unity to the wider electorate.
The group acknowledged the contributions of other aspirants in the race but maintained that the current political and economic climate demands a leader with national appeal, policy depth and proven executive experience.
They urged party members to rally behind Dr. Bawumia, warning that a fragmented contest could weaken the NPP’s chances in 2028.
A unifying message
The endorsement concluded with a firm pledge by the group to actively support the party’s campaign machinery and work closely with Dr. Bawumia to secure victory in both the primaries and the general elections.
The former candidates called for unity, discipline and forward-looking leadership as the party prepares for what they described as a critical internal contest.
“Our commitment is to a stronger, united NPP capable of winning 2028,” Mr. Mercer said.
“We believe Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is the leader to deliver that victory.”
With endorsements from both the parliamentary frontbench and the grassroots battlefield, Dr. Bawumia’s campaign enters the final stretch of the primaries with renewed momentum, positioning him as the candidate most capable of consolidating the party and mounting a formidable challenge in the next national election.
