More than 60 Members of Parliament (MPs) from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) thronged the private office of former Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in Accra to formally declare their support for his renewed bid to lead the party into the 2028 general elections.
The endorsement, delivered just days after the party officially set January 31, 2026, for its presidential primaries, marks a significant political boost for Dr. Bawumia.
The MPs pledged their allegiance during what sources described as a “cordial but strategic” meeting, reaffirming their belief that Dr. Bawumia remains the party’s most viable candidate for the next national contest.
With more than two-thirds of NPP MPs backing his candidature, Dr. Bawumia’s position in the upcoming flagbearer race has strengthened considerably.
Second-time presidential bids
Supporters of Dr. Bawumia argue that the party’s tradition has always favoured continuity when it comes to presidential candidates.
They point to the examples of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who was elected as the NPP’s flagbearer twice—in 1996 and again in 2000, before eventually winning the presidency.
Similarly, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led the party in three successive elections before securing victory in 2016.
Dr. Bawumia’s backers believe he deserves a second chance to carry the NPP’s banner, especially considering the narrow defeat in the 2024 elections and the significant base of support he still enjoys among grassroots members and party stalwarts.
“The party has a tradition of loyalty and perseverance. Bawumia deserves the same opportunity that was given to his predecessors,” one MP said after the meeting.
Bawumia thanks MPs for confidence
In response to the show of support, Dr. Bawumia expressed profound gratitude to the lawmakers, describing their endorsement as a reaffirmation of unity and forward-looking leadership.
“I am deeply humbled by this overwhelming support. Our mission to build a stronger, more inclusive Ghana is far from over,” he said, pledging to work with all party factions ahead of the January 2026 primaries.
Political career of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
Dr. Bawumia, an economist and former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, was first introduced into frontline politics in 2008 when he became Nana Akufo-Addo’s running mate.
He served as running mate in three successive elections (2008, 2012, and 2016), and was finally elected Vice-President in 2016 when the NPP won the general elections.
He retained the position following the NPP’s re-election in 2020 and led the party into the 2024 elections as its first-ever Northern Muslim flagbearer.
However, he lost 2024 elections as flagbearer of the NPP.
Throughout his political career, Dr. Bawumia has championed digitalization, public sector reforms, financial inclusion, and social intervention programmes, gaining a reputation as a technocrat with political depth.
His allies argue that with a full campaign cycle and continued party unity, he stands a strong chance of leading the NPP back into power in 2028.
Race to 2028 begins early
The NPP’s decision to hold early flagbearer elections—almost three years ahead of the next general election—signals the party’s intent to stabilize internal leadership and rebuild ahead of the next major political battle.
All eyes are now on how the party navigates internal contests and consolidates its base in the lead-up to 2026.
