Former Vice-President and 2024 flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has issued a stern warning to party faithful that indulging in tribal or religious politics could cripple the NPP’s chances of returning to power in 2028.
Speaking at the NPP New York Chapter’s 33rd Anniversary celebration on Sunday, August 24, 2025, Dr Bawumia urged the party to heal from its 2024 defeat by uniting around vision, competence and ideas rather than divisive propaganda.
“We need a leader whose style unites, not divides,” he declared. “If we are fractured and at each other’s throats, none of us can lead this party to fulfil its purpose. Tribalism and religious bigotry have no place in the NPP.”
Tribal and religious propaganda “dangerous”
Dr Bawumia condemned what he described as false and desperate claims by some aspirants and their surrogates that his northern and Muslim background cost the NPP the 2024 elections.
He described such propaganda as “unbelievable and dangerous,” warning that it risked branding the NPP as an exclusionary party.
“When I was campaigning the length and breadth of Ghana, nobody said I was a northerner, a Mamprusi or a Muslim. So what has changed now?” he asked.
The former Vice-President also dismissed attacks on his wife, Samira Bawumia, whose Ghanaian identity was questioned by a senior figure in the party.
“When Samira was campaigning the length and breadth of Ghana for the party, they did not say she was not a true Ghanaian. So what has changed now? Why now?” he quizzed, praising her immense contributions to the party.
NPP’s roots in unity and inclusivity
Tracing the party’s history, Dr Bawumia reminded members that the NPP’s roots in the United Party (UP) tradition were built on inclusivity.
The UP drew support from diverse groups such as the Northern People’s Party, the Muslim Association Party, the Ga Shifimokpee, and the Anlo Youth Organisation, among others.
“It is clear therefore that the bonds of unity in diversity have been our lifeblood and our foundation. Now more than ever, we must refresh them,” he declared.
He warned that reviving tribal and religious divisions would echo the party’s bitter experiences of 1979, when internal fractures cost the tradition electoral victory.
Why NPP lost 2024
Dr Bawumia dismissed claims that ethnicity or religion caused the NPP’s 2024 electoral defeat.
Instead, he cited findings from the Mike Oquaye Committee, which showed that nearly 80 % of voters attributed their decisions to disappointment with the government’s performance.
He revealed that the party lost over two million votes compared to 2020, mainly due to apathy in its strongholds of Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern, Central and Western Regions.
“The Bawku conflict was not a factor. Religion was not a factor. Tribe was not a factor. The data is clear. Our setbacks came from apathy in our base, not identity politics,” he emphasised.
Focus on issues, not identity
Dr Bawumia urged his rivals to campaign on vision, competence and policy rather than divisive rhetoric.
“If you want to contest me, come with a vision, come with your ideas, come with your track record, come with your integrity and let us decide. Your message cannot be that I am a Muslim, a northerner or a Mamprusi man.That is not the politics of the NPP,” he told the gathering.
He stressed that the next leader of the party must embody humility, incorruptibility, steadiness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire hope across the country.
The road to 2028
Despite the party’s defeat, Dr Bawumia expressed confidence that the NPP could rebound if it restored discipline and unity.
“I have absolute confidence that if we work hard and stay united, we will win 2028,” he declared to loud applause.
“The NPP will always triumph over tribal and religious bigots. With unity and consistency, we can regain the trust of Ghanaians and return to government.”
