Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has rallied the New Patriotic Party (NPP) behind its newly elected presidential flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, urging him to lead with clarity of vision and strength of purpose following his emphatic victory in the party’s presidential primaries held on Saturday, January 31.
Speaking moments after the official declaration of results, Mr. Akufo-Addo offered a glowing endorsement of his former Vice President, describing him as a man of principle, loyalty, and sound judgment. His remarks signaled a smooth transition of leadership as the governing party recalibrates its focus toward the 2028 general elections.
“I know his mind, and I know his character. He is loyal to party principles,” the former President stated, while calling on Dr. Bawumia to provide focused and unifying leadership in the aftermath of a keenly contested primary.
Dr. Bawumia, addressing jubilant party faithful in his victory speech, struck a conciliatory tone, pledging to run an inclusive and unifying campaign. He extended an olive branch to supporters of his main contenders, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and Bryan Acheampong, emphasizing the need for collective effort as the party prepares for the next electoral cycle.
With nearly 43 percent of delegates having cast their ballots for rival candidates, consolidating party unity now stands as Dr. Bawumia’s immediate challenge as he positions himself to “break the cycle” in 2028.
As the NPP’s standard-bearer, Dr. Bawumia is also tasked with crafting a compelling manifesto—one that harmonizes the party’s enduring Danquah-Busia-Dombo ideological foundations with the digital-driven economic transformation agenda he championed during his tenure as Vice President.
His triumph was underpinned by widespread support from the party’s expanded delegate base. Dr. Bawumia polled 110,643 votes, representing 56.48% of the total valid votes cast, decisively fending off a spirited challenge from grassroots favorite Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
The 2026 primaries marked a watershed moment in the party’s internal democracy, being the first conducted under the NPP’s newly expanded electoral album. The reforms, adopted at the July 2025 National Annual Delegates Conference, broadened eligibility to include former party card-bearing Ministers, MMDCEs, and TESCON presidents, an initiative aimed at deepening inclusivity and reducing localized influence.
Voting was conducted across 333 polling centers in all 275 constituencies nationwide. Despite isolated reports of minor incidents, the process was widely commended by both local and international observers for its transparency, credibility, and the disciplined, professional presence of the Ghana Police Service.