By Nelson Ayivor
Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party flagbearer elect for the 2028 general elections, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has made a strong appeal for unity, discipline, and collective purpose following his victory in the party’s presidential primaries.
Speaking at the party’s headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra, Dr Bawumia described the contest as a hard fought but necessary democratic exercise and urged party members to rally together to rebuild and reposition the NPP for electoral success.
Addressing party elders, national executives, Members of Parliament, constituency officers, polling station executives and supporters, Dr Bawumia began by expressing gratitude to God for what he described as a historic moment.
He also thanked the tens of thousands of delegates who participated in the primaries, as well as officials of the Electoral Commission, security agencies, the Presidential Elections Committee, the media, and the general public for their respective roles in ensuring a credible process.
He said their collective efforts had contributed to strengthening the New Patriotic Party’s internal democracy, ideals, values, and public confidence.
“It is with a deep sense of pride and humility that I address you this evening, following what has turned out to be a blistering battle for the flag-bearership of the New Patriotic Party.”
According to him, achieving anything valuable in life requires perseverance, hard work and the ability to endure difficult circumstances. He noted that the victory did not belong to him alone but to the entire party, stressing that the sacrifices made by members at all levels had culminated in a collective triumph.
He said the NPP and Ghana itself stood to benefit from the maturity shown throughout the process. Reaffirming the party’s traditions, Dr Bawumia said the NPP has an enviable history of selecting leaders based on the prevailing mood of its membership.
He explained that flagbearers typically emerge through merit, loyalty and contribution to party growth, adding that this process represents a deliberate way of rewarding vision, competence and sacrifice. He urged members to respect the wisdom of the delegates, regardless of which aspirant they supported during the contest.
He emphasised that political parties are made up of people who share broad ideals, even though they may differ on specific ideas. As such, he said members must accept that alternative views can sometimes better serve the broader interests of the party.
He reminded supporters that competition must always give way to cooperation and warned against conditional loyalty that depends solely on personal preference for leadership.
“It cannot be the case that one’s support for the party is maintained only when those we support lead. I want to stand on this energy to make a passionate appeal to all members of the great NPP to let go of whatever reservations they have and come together.
“We need every idea, every voice, and every piece of advice to help us preserve and protect a proud tradition bequeathed to us by our forebears.”
He referenced key figures in the party’s history and said the NPP must never be seen as incapable of managing disagreements in a civilised and democratic manner.
According to him, his election reflected a broad based appeal across the party, and he intends to use that mandate to unite all factions as a critical step toward winning the 2028 elections.
“After all, as the Akan say, United we stand and divided we fall. As we embark on this crucial journey to rebuild our brand and reposition our party for electoral glory, let me remind you, dear party members, that whatever we have gone through during the past few months is not new in the politics of Ghana.”
He noted that history shows that whenever the NPP rallies solidly behind its chosen flagbearer, the Ghanaian electorate responds positively by endorsing the party’s policies and programmes.
He warned that failure to unite would not only betray party members but also disappoint the broader Ghanaian public that looks to the NPP for leadership.
Targeted Engagements Aimed at Revitalising Party
Looking ahead, Dr Bawumia announced plans to embark on targeted engagements aimed at revitalising the party. These engagements, he said, would include meetings with party elders and other members who may feel aggrieved for various reasons.
He stressed that every voice matters and that inclusive dialogue would be central to building a formidable strategy for the elections ahead. He also directed a special message to the youth of the party, describing them as the true owners of the victory.
“The future of our party rests on your energy, dedication and desire to see a vibrant political vehicle. Any time the youth groups in the party rise, the great elephant soars.”
Addressing supporters who stayed away from the last general elections due to dissatisfaction, Dr Bawumia said reforms were already underway. He pledged that under his leadership as flagbearer, the party would listen more carefully to its supporters and reflect their aspirations more faithfully.
He said the NPP has a responsibility to hand over a vibrant and responsive political organisation to the next generation, underscoring his unwavering commitment to strengthening the party.
Instilling Party Discipline
On discipline, Dr Bawumia was emphatic that internal order would be a priority. He likened the party to an army, arguing that without discipline it cannot win its battles. He promised to work closely with national leadership to restore discipline in operations, communication and conduct, and urged supporters to celebrate the victory with restraint in order not to deepen existing tensions.
Dr Bawumia expressed appreciation to his campaign teams, volunteers, security agencies and media organisations for their roles throughout the contest. He paid tribute to his wife, Samira Bawumia, describing her as a steadfast pillar of support.
“I pay tribute to my predecessors, Professor Albert Adu-Boahen, John Agyekum Kufour, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. I say thank you to every contestant for participating in this race and for giving delegates an opportunity to make an informed choice.”
He concluded by thanking party executives, youth organisers, religious leaders, and supporters across the country and on social media platforms, assuring them that their efforts would not be forgotten.
While noting that there was still much work to be done, he said the party had entered a new phase with renewed purpose. According to him, the polls may have ended, but the journey toward a stronger NPP and victory in 2028 has only just begun.
