A total of 63 Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) have officially declared their support for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the lead-up to the party’s hotly anticipated 2026 presidential primaries, a development political watchers say could decisively tilt the race in his favour.
With 87 NPP MPs in Parliament, the declaration leaves 24 MPs uncommitted, giving Dr Bawumia a commanding parliamentary base ahead of the party’s internal contest, expected to take place in January 2026.
The 63 MPs represent a broad cross-section of the NPP parliamentary strength, comprising former appointees, new faces, and influential backbenchers across multiple regions.
They include Frank Asiedu Bekoe, Ida Adjoa Asiedu, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, Francis Asenso-Boakye, Hassan Tampuli, Collins Adomako-Mensah, Mustapha Ussif, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Kofi Amankwa-Manu, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, Ernest Yaw Anim, Frank Yeboah, Kofi A. Marfo, Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo, Damata Ama Appianimaa Salam, Akwasi Konadu, Rudolf Amoako-Gyampah, Mahama Tiah Abdul-Kabiru, and Sammi Awuku.
Other notable names on the list are Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Charles Asuako Owiredu, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, Nana Ampaw Addo-Frempong, Seth Osei-Akoto, Kwame Appiah Kodua, Samuel Abu Jinapor, Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh, Michael Kwasi Aidoo, Duke Ofori-Atta, Michael Okyere Baafi, Ralph Poku-Adusei, John Ntim Fordjour, Kingsley Nyarko, Ampratwum Sarpong, Mohammed Amin Adam, Habib Iddrisu, Dominic Nitiwul, Fatahiya Abdul Aziz, Mathew Nyindam, Patrick Boakye-Yiadom, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, Gideon Boako, Ayew Afriyie, Francis Owusu Akyaw, Kobby Okyere Darko-Mensah, and Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
The list also features Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, Mavis Nkansah-Boadu, Anthony Mmieh, Yaw Frimpong Addo, Fred Kyei Asamoah, Elvis Dapaah, Mumuni Muhammed Nurideen, Akwasi Gyamfi Onyina, Alex Agyare, Kingsley Agyeman, Tony Mmieh, John Darko, Col. Kwadwo Damoah (Rtd), Kofi Obiri Yeboah, Gloria Owusu, and Korkor Asante.
Together, these 63 lawmakers—out of 87 NPP MPs—represent the overwhelming majority of the party’s parliamentary caucus, signalling deep confidence in Dr. Bawumia’s leadership and strengthening his position as the frontrunner in the race for the 2026 NPP presidential ticket.
Parliamentary Power Beyond Numbers
Although critics have sought to downplay the endorsement as insignificant compared to the party’s estimated 200,000 delegate base, analysts argue that such an interpretation overlooks the fundamental mechanics of internal party politics.
In the NPP’s grassroots structure, an MP wields substantial influence over constituency operations—commanding networks of constituency executives, polling station coordinators, and electoral area representatives.
“The math is simple but misunderstood,” explained Dennis Miracles Aboagye, Director of Communications for the Bawumia campaign. “An MP is the CEO of their constituency. When they publicly declare for a candidate, they’re not just casting a personal vote—they’re activating their entire political machinery. That means mobilising every key delegate across the constituency.”
Three Forces Driving the “Bawumia Tsunami”
Political analysts describe the MPs’ endorsement as the trigger for three major “tidal forces” likely to reshape the upcoming primaries—logistics, perception, and persuasion.
The logistics tsunami
According to analyst Nana Yaw Okyere, the declaration gives the Bawumia campaign access to a nationwide logistics network that few contenders can match.
“Suddenly, the campaign has over 60 fully equipped constituency offices, fleets of vehicles, and established communication structures. For other aspirants trying to build this from scratch, it’s an insurmountable challenge,” he noted.
This operational advantage, he added, would significantly ease the coordination of campaign materials, delegate outreach, and event organisation across all 16 regions.
The bandwagon tsunami
Perception, analysts say, is as powerful as numbers in internal elections.
Dr. Kwasi Nyame Barfi, a political communication expert, explained that widespread parliamentary support creates an aura of inevitability.
“Delegates are pragmatic—they prefer to back a winner,” Dr. Barfi said. “When a majority of respected MPs and party leaders coalesce around one candidate, it generates momentum. Delegates don’t want to be on the losing side.”
This “bandwagon effect” has historically swayed undecided voters in past NPP primaries, as seen during the contests that produced both President Akufo-Addo and former President John Kufuor.
The persuasion tsunami
Perhaps the most critical effect, insiders say, lies in the MPs’ direct influence over delegates.
Kofi Marfo, MP for Achiase, described the MPs as “the most credible messengers” within the party’s structure.
“A delegate might hear from ten people, but the voice they trust most is that of their MP,” he explained.
“That MP can influence hundreds of delegates through relationships and political patronage. That’s the real tsunami—it’s not just numbers, it’s influence.”
Historical Patterns and Political Implications
Historically, candidates who secure the backing of the parliamentary caucus in the NPP have gone on to dominate delegate voting. Analysts point to previous primaries where parliamentary endorsement cascaded into overwhelming grassroots support, thanks to the MPs’ organisational reach.
The endorsement also signals a consolidation of party leadership around Dr. Bawumia, reinforcing his position as the frontrunner in a field that includes four other aspirants yet to secure comparable institutional support.
A calculated momentum
As the 2026 primaries approach, Dr Bawumia’s camp appears focused on converting this parliamentary momentum into a broader delegate wave.
Campaign strategists believe the MPs’ support could unlock not just logistical and structural advantages but also morale and perception boosts at the constituency level.
“The narrative that 63 votes mean little is a profound miscalculation,” said a senior NPP strategist. “Each MP represents a microcosm of the party.
This endorsement is not an isolated event—it’s a trigger for a nationwide mobilisation effort.”
With barely three months to the primaries, what began as a list of 63 signatures is being viewed within party circles as the early rumble of a political tsunami—one that may ultimately sweep Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to an uncontested victory as the NPP’s 2026 presidential candidate.
