Bawumia makes history in NPP
-Obtains highest endorsement for any first time aspirant
By Elvis DARKO, Accra
Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has secured the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer position for the upcoming 2024 general elections.
In a resounding victory, Dr. Bawumia polled 118,210 votes, representing 61.47% of the valid votes cast during the NPP’s presidential primary.
This historic win marks the first time a non-Akan candidate will lead the NPP into a general election.
Dr. Bawumia’s closest contender, Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, garnered 71,996 votes, accounting for 37.41% of the vote share.
46,214 vote difference Dr. Bawumia and Mr. Agyapong
The difference in votes between Dr. Bawumia and Mr. Agyapong was 46,214.
Meanwhile, Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie placed third with 1,459 votes (0.76%), and Francis Addai-Nimoh secured 731 votes (0.41%) to place fourth.
This highly anticipated primary saw a total of 192,446 delegates participating in the voting process, with a high turnout of 94.63%.
Dr. Bawumia wins 14 regions, Mr. Agyapong wins 2
Out of the 16 administrative regions in Ghana, Dr. Bawumia secured a majority in 14 regions, underlining his broad appeal among NPP members.
Dr Bawumia’s 61.47% is the highest per centage of votes any NPP first time flagbearer aspirant has obtained in the fourth Republic.
He also made history as only the second flagbearer aspirant to be elected at first attempt after Prof. Albert Adu Boahen in 1992.
Dr. Bawumia expresses profound gratitude
In his victory speech delivered at the Accra Sports Stadium, Dr. Bawumia expressed his profound gratitude and humility for being selected as the NPP’s flagbearer.
He also expressed gratitude to the delegates and supporters who had joined him on his journey.
He stressed that this victory belonged to all NPP members who had united behind him.
Dr. Bawumia also extended an olive branch to all the aspirants who contested him, emphasizing his determination to work collaboratively with Mr. Agyapong and others to achieve victory in the 2024 general elections.
He applauded the democratic process within the NPP, where aspirants were allowed to compete openly.
He pledged to unite the NPP for the upcoming electoral battle and emphasized the party’s inclusivity, transcending tribal and religious lines.
Dr. Bawumia shared his vision for Ghana, focused on building an inclusive, food self-sufficient, data-driven, and systems-based nation.
Leveraging technology and modern systems, he aims to transform the Ghanaian economy and ensure the country occupies a prominent place on the global stage.
Dr. Bawumia acknowledged the opportunities Ghana had given him in life and pledged to give back to the nation.
He thanked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who had given him the opportunity to be his running mate in 2008, paving the way for his political career.
President Nana Akufo-Addo optimistic of victory
During the handover of the party leadership to the flagbearer-elect, President Nana Akufo-Addo expressed confidence in Dr. Bawumia’s ability to unite the NPP and secure victory in the 2024 general elections.
He called upon party members to rally behind Dr. Bawumia to prevent the return of former President John Mahama to power.
Losing aspirants pledge support
Mr. Agyapong, who had previously voiced concerns about the fairness of the elections, accepted the results and pledged to work tirelessly with NPP members to break the eight-year electoral cycle.
Additionally, Dr. Bawumia’s fellow aspirants, including Francis Addai-Nimoh and Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, expressed their commitment to support the newly elected NPP flagbearer.
They emphasized the importance of party unity in securing victory in the 2024 elections.
The 2023 NPP presidential primary concluded peacefully, setting the stage for the party’s efforts to retain its position as Ghana’s ruling party in the upcoming elections.
