The political future of former Vice President and 2024 flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, appears increasingly uncertain, as a wave of defections and internal challenges rocks his once-solid campaign machinery.
What began as a unified front during the 2023 flagbearership race is now unraveling, with several high-profile figures—key architects of Bawumia’s earlier political rise—publicly distancing themselves from his camp. More significantly, many are preparing to contest him for the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the critical 2028 general elections.
From Allies to Rivals
Leading the list of breakaway figures are prominent former ministers and current parliamentarians who played pivotal roles in Bawumia’s 2023 campaign. Among them are:
• Dr. Bryan Acheampong, former Minister for Food and Agriculture
• Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister for Education
• Hon. Patrick Boamah, MP for Okaikoi Central
These individuals are no longer just former allies—they are now direct contenders in the party’s impending presidential primaries. Their decisions to part ways with the Bawumia camp mark a dramatic shift in the NPP’s internal dynamics and signal deepening fissures within the party’s leadership structure.
Political observers describe the situation as a “seismic shift,” with one analyst noting, “This isn’t just about political ambition—it’s about the psychological blow of having your inner circle turn into your competitors.”
Akufo-Addo abandons Bawumia
Adding further to Bawumia’s predicament is the unfolding drama surrounding President Akufo-Addo’s withdrawal of tacit support. Once considered Bawumia’s chief political patron and most prominent backer during the 2023 primaries, Akufo-Addo is now said to be shifting his support to another candidate.
According to sources, the former President privately attributed Bawumia’s 2024 defeat in part to religious factors—specifically, the role Bawumia’s faith may have played in voter preferences. Akufo-Addo is said to have admitted to underestimating the influence of religion in Ghanaian politics.
Though he has made no public pronouncement regarding the upcoming NPP presidential primaries, party insiders suggest that Akufo-Addo’s silence is both deliberate and politically symbolic. “It’s the kind of silence that speaks volumes,” one insider commented. “In NPP politics, perception is everything.”
Kwabena Agyapong joins the fray
Another striking development is the anticipated entry of Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, former General Secretary of the NPP and a one-time close ally of Dr. Bawumia. Agyapong, who was visibly active in Bawumia’s 2023 campaign, is now expected to formally join the presidential race—further crowding the field and diluting Bawumia’s support base.
His inclusion underscores the growing fragmentation of Bawumia’s once-cohesive coalition and points to an increasingly intense and competitive primary season.
A party at a crossroads
With the NPP yet to officially announce the date for its presidential primaries, the emerging fault lines within the party are becoming ever more apparent. Analysts say the mass defections from Bawumia’s camp represent more than a personnel reshuffle—they reflect a deeper realignment of power, loyalty, and vision within the NPP.
