Former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has called for unity, discipline and renewed party engagement after winning the New Patriotic Party’s presidential primary, describing his victory as a collective achievement that must now be translated into electoral success in 2028.
Addressing party executives, delegates and supporters after the polls, Dr Bawumia said the contest had been hard-fought but necessary, stressing that success within the party required resilience and sacrifice. “To secure anything precious in this life, we must be prepared to fight the hard battles, prepared to work hard and be prepared to withstand difficult circumstances,” he said, adding: “Tonight, victory is for all of us. I am grateful. The NPP is grateful to you all, and Ghana is grateful.”
Dr Bawumia thanked party delegates, election officials, security agencies and the media for their roles in the process, noting that the primary reflected the party’s long-standing tradition of choosing leaders through internal democracy. He said the outcome should be respected by all members, regardless of where their support lay during the contest.
“It matters not which side you supported, winners and those who didn’t win at this particular time, we are in this together,” he said, urging party members to embrace cooperation after competition. He warned against conditional loyalty to the party, saying unity could not depend on personal preferences or factional interests.
The NPP flagbearer said his election demonstrated broad-based support across the party and placed a responsibility on him to heal divisions and rebuild trust ahead of the next general election. “My election today communicates a broad based appeal across the party, and I need to draw directly on that capital to unite the party as one of the crucial steps to winning power in 2028,” he stated.
Dr Bawumia announced plans for targeted engagements with party elders, grassroots members and especially the youth, whom he described as central to the party’s future. He assured younger supporters that their concerns would be taken seriously, saying reforms had already begun. “As flag bearer, I will do everything to ensure that the NPP listens more to you, is more mindful of your views and is more reflective of your desires,” he said.
He also placed strong emphasis on discipline within the party, warning that indiscipline could undermine its electoral prospects. “An army that lacks discipline will struggle to win its battles,” Dr Bawumia said. “The NPP needs to step up discipline internally, discipline in our operations, discipline in our communications, and discipline in the conduct of our members.”
While acknowledging the enthusiasm that followed his victory, he cautioned supporters against actions that could deepen divisions. “Let us celebrate in moderation,” he said, adding that “as far as I am concerned, everybody has won.”
Dr Bawumia paid tribute to his campaign teams, party executives, security agencies and the media, and offered special thanks to his family. “In particular, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my beautiful wife, Samira. She has been a solid pillar to me in this campaign,” he said.
Official results collated by the Electoral Commission showed that Dr Bawumia secured 110,643 votes out of 195,901 valid votes cast, representing a clear majority in the nationwide primary. Former Assin Central MP, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, placed second with 46,554 votes, followed by Dr Bryan Acheampong with 36,303 votes. Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum and Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyepong placed fourth and fifth respectively.
