Akufo-Addo Endorses Bawumia After NPP Primaries Win, Praises His Loyalty and Leadership Qualities
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has publicly endorsed Dr Mahamudu BawumiaDr Mahamudu Bawumia following his victory in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primaries, describing him as a loyal party man with a deep love for Ghana and the capacity to lead the party back to power.
Akufo-Addo made the remarks in a statement shared on Wednesday after Dr Bawumia, accompanied by his wife Samira Bawumia, paid a courtesy call on him after emerging winner of the NPP flagbearer race held on January 31.
Reflecting on their long-standing political relationship, the former president recalled selecting Dr Bawumia as his running mate 18 years ago, a partnership that saw them campaign together through four national elections.
“I know his mind, his character, his love for Ghana, and his appetite for hard work. He is loyal to party and country,” Akufo-Addo stated.
He expressed confidence that with the backing of the party’s grassroots and the continued support of its financiers, Dr Bawumia is well-positioned to lead the NPP to victory in the next general election.
“With the full support of our rank and file and the continued generosity of our supporters, I know that he will lead us back to victory,” the former president added.
Dr Bawumia’s victory in the January 31 primaries gives him the mandate to lead the NPP into the next general election as the party seeks to reclaim power following its defeat in the 2024 polls.
Bawumia’s Victory Reflects Party Consensus, Not Surprise – Prof. Osei-Kufuor posits
A keen observer of Ghana’s electoral landscape, Prof. Patrick Osei-Kufuor has said that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s re-election as flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was a predictable outcome, reflecting the entrenched will of the party’s delegate base.
He underscored that his victory underscores the party’s decision at both the collective and individual level to endorse him as leader.
During a telephone conversation on GBC Radio Central’s Morning Show on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Prof. Osei-Kufuor noted that when a party makes a decision based on the aforementioned dynamics, it becomes extremely challenging to anticipate any surprises during the polls, especially when the same individuals are tasked with making the same decision.
“I knew Bawumia would emerge winner, the election observer stressed, adding that “the foundational structure of the party has not changed significantly to warrant any electoral shift at the top”. “The same persons voted in the previous elections, with some few additions”, he explained.
Responding to the potential impact of a bottom-up approach on the NPP elections, the elections observer noted that while there would have been some changes, Dr Bawumia would still have emerged victorious as the party’s preferred candidate.
Regarding Dr. Bryan Acheampong’s performance during the elections, Prof. Osei-Kufuor commended him for his efforts, recommending that the party consider him for future campaign purposes. “He resonates with the youth and had a significant impact on the elections,” he observed. Additionally, he emphasized that Bryan is a candidate for the future, except that the party’s sentiment is “This is Bawumia’s time”.
Seeking his perspective on Jojo Oppong Nkrumah’s assertions regarding how to regain the trust of Ghanaians going forward, he concurred with him, advising the party to develop effective post-election issue management strategies by utilizing dialogue to bring all contestants on board, particularly Kennedy Ohene Agyapong. “They should leverage their Council Elders to bring Ken on board,” he noted, emphasizing its significance in presenting a united front to the Ghanaian electorate.
Regarding trust issues, he stated that most Ghanaians are disenchanted with the NPP’s performance in government. It is essential for them to establish connections to regain the trust of the people. Nevertheless, Prof. Osei-Kufuor revealed that, according to EC statistics, Bawumia’s attainment of 41% of the valid votes cast in the 2024 elections is encouraging.
“It signifies trust for the candidate, but the floating voters had some grievances arising from Nana Akufo-Addo’s governance, which ultimately impacted Bawumia’s chances, he stated.
In summary, he proposed that it was Dr. Bawumia’s responsibility to demonstrate to the electorate how certain policies implemented during his tenure in government are currently benefiting Ghanaians. By achieving this and making Ghanaians recognize that he was not in charge as Vice President but would perform better when given the opportunity, this can enhance his presidential prospects.
The Gallant Cadres of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have asserted that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s performance in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership election signals a decline in his political fortunes, noting that over 40% of party delegates rejected his candidacy.
In a statement released on Sunday, February 1, 2026, the group argued that Dr. Bawumia was expected to secure a stronger endorsement but instead faced significant opposition from within his own party. “Dr. Bawumia suffered over a 43% rejection from his own people in an internal election,” the statement emphasized. “Even among delegates believed to be on his side – and for whom normal practices should have ensured loyalty – 43.52% rejected him.”
The Cadres contend that this reflects the dwindling fortunes of the NPP flagbearer, who was once promoted as the party’s hero and an economic messiah. “The ‘digital man’s’ message was rejected by his own people,” the statement added. “These delegates had the opportunity to decide on Bawumia twice, and 43.52% of them – including former supporters and members of his own economic team – saw no value in endorsing him again. It is a clear sign of credibility loss.”
Analyzing the 43.52% vote against Dr. Bawumia, the Cadres describe the figure as significant and revealing. They note that the drop from 63% support in 2023 to 56% in this election demonstrates a measurable erosion of trust in his leadership within the party, let alone the country.
The NDC Cadres have therefore pledged to amplify this message of rejection, describing Dr. Bawumia as a ‘liar’ and vowing to broadcast his internal party setback to a national and international audience.
Below is the full statement:
Press Release
To All Media Houses
The Gallant Cadres of NDC
0208573712
0243179445
0546572070
Dr. Bawumia Suffers Loud Rejection At Npp’s Flagbearership Primaries : A Sign of Credibility Loss
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) went into its primaries to elect a flag-bearer, and the outcome of the elections should be a serious matter of concern to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. In order to “protect” or bring back Dr. Bawumia, the party hierarchy strangely overturned the normal practice of electing polling-station and constituency executives before the flag-bearer (bottom-up election). They believed Bawumia had been widely marketed compared to his contenders. To achieve this, old delegates were used because the loyalty of new delegates could not be guaranteed. Interestingly, same old delegates elected and approved Bawumia for 2024 general elections but turned round to campaign massively against the party’s flagbearer. Almost 1.2 million supporters resigned from the New Patriotic Party last two years.
The Gallant Cadres of NDC will like to posit. Does Npp want Ghanaians to vote for Bawumia as president? What economic problems does Bawumia want to solve? We doubt Bawumia has any economic policies. Ghanaians can distinguish between the economic conditions 8 years ago when Dr Bawumia was the head of EMT for the Nana Addo government, and the economic conditions today. Today’s economic conditions are are better and comforting than Ghana experienced under Npp administration.
One would have expected a bigger endorsement, but the opposite happened. Dr Bawumia suffered over 43% rejection from his own people in an internal election. Even the delegates who were believed to be on Bawumia’s side – and for whom normal practices should have been overturned – 43.52% of them rejected Dr Bawumia . This is a matter of serious concern. A supposed hero, an economic Messiah, the “digital man’s” message was rejected by his own people. These are delegates who had the opportunity to decide twice on Bawumia, and 43.52% of them – including those who hailed him in the past and members of his own economic team – saw no value in presenting him again. It is a clear sign of credibility loss.
Note that 43.52% translates into huge numbers. Thanks to this loud rejection (43.52%), the Gallant Cadres of NDC will help spread the message of rejection to every corner of the world: “Say NO TO BAWUMIA” – he is a liar.
What would the percentage of rejection have been if he hadn’t paid money to delegates and the bottom-up approach of elections had been followed? Bawumia should be crying rather than jubilating. The hope his own people had in him is completely gone. If 43.52% of delegates could “spit out” Bawumia due to his sour taste, then Ghanaians deserve better.
Dr Bawumia should know what awaits him – the bigger picture in the national election. His disgrace will weigh him down; he will be soaked in a pool of shameful defeat come 2028. If before he had 63% to win the flag-bearership and that translated to 38% in the national election, what will 56% translate to? He should work it out and keep the answer.
Bawumia, DADANOAA, same old goods.
Comrade Richard E A Sarpong, Father Casford, The PRO, 0208573712
