Former Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has appealed to party delegates to retain him for the 2028 elections, stressing that consistency with a candidate has historically delivered victory in Ghana’s presidential contests.
Speaking during his Ashanti Region tour, Dr. Bawumia cited electoral precedents where presidential hopefuls who were repeatedly presented by their parties eventually won, including John Agyekum Kufuor, the late John Atta Mills, Nana Akufo-Addo, and John Dramani Mahama.
“The trend shows that maintaining faith with a candidate is very beneficial, especially in marketing the flagbearer. I am the most marketed, prepared and winnable candidate among all the aspirants,” he told delegates.
He also pointed out that every outgoing president since 1992 has handed over to someone they previously contested against.
Dr. Bawumia added that if the pattern continues, President Mahama would likely hand over to him in 2029.
“Since 1992, every President has handed over to someone he had contested against earlier. President Rawlings handed over to President Kufuor, who he contested against in 1996. President Kufuor handed over to Prof. Mills, who he contested against in 2000 and 2004. President Mahama handed over to President Akufo-Addo, who he contested against in 2012. President Akufo-Addo handed over to President Mahama.
With President Mahama set to hand over in 2029, if the trend continues, and there is no reason why it shouldn’t, he will be handing over to President-elect Mahamudu Bawumia—unless we (NPP) present a new candidate. The data also shows no first-timer has won Ghana’s presidential elections.”
I urge you to vote for me on 31st January to lock in the benefits of maintaining a presidential candidate. We can win 2028 if we approach it with a united front,” he added.