Who bears NPP's flag for 2028?
Five candidates united by political ideology but split by individual ambitions head to the polls tomorrow when the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) elects a flag bearer to lead the party to the 2028 general election.
Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; former Minister of Food and Agriculture and MP for Abetifi, Dr Bryan Acheampong; former Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; former Minister of Education and MP for Bosomtwi, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, and former General Secretary of the party, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, are seeking the endorsement of over 200,000 party delegates in tomorrow’s presidential primary.
It will be the conclusion to a rather acrimonious seven-month campaign period that has seen everything, and will give way to a straight fight between the party and the government, in the NPP's push for the fastest return to power.
The contest has come early as the party makes preparations for the 2028 presidential election, nearly three years ahead of time.
Beyond selecting a candidate for the 2028 general election, the primary is expected to signal how the party intends to reorganise, reconnect with its grassroots and redefine its identity following its 2024 electoral defeat.
Polls
The election would be conducted in 277 voting centres across the country, covering all 276 constituencies and the party’s national headquarters.
A total of 211,812 delegates would be expected to vote, with no provision for proxy voting.
While there are five candidates vying for the enviable position, a close observation of the race points to a two-horse race between the 2024 flag bearer, Dr Bawumia, and former Assin Central MP, Mr Agyapong.
Data from eight separate polls conducted by four organisations, including Global Info Analytics and Sanity Africa, ahead of tomorrow’s election, paint a picture of a closely contested NPP presidential primary.
Global Info Analytics has consistently shown that Dr Bawumia would emerge winner of the contest. There is also a poll by Sanity Africa, which shows Mr Agyapong winning the race.
If you are in Dr Bawumia’s camp, you’ll embrace the Global Info Analytics poll. If you are in Mr Agyapong’s camp, you’ll prefer the Sanity Africa poll.
In the end, only one candidate could and would emerge winner. And as former President Akufo-Addo once said, “the most important poll is what actually happens on election day.”
Both candidates have strengths and weaknesses which party delegates would have to weigh very closely as they try to answer the question — who presents us with the best chance of winning in 2028 if that is a possibility.
Aspirants’ campaign
Dr Bawumia's campaign has centred on party welfare and rebuilding trust at the base. He has argued that many party supporters abstained from voting in the 2024 elections due to a perceived lack of support, and as such he has pledged to introduce a structured welfare system that will function whether the NPP is in government or opposition.
Central to his proposal is the establishment of Welfare Desks at every level of the party to ensure data-driven and equitable distribution of resources to members.
Mr Agyapong, on the other hand, continues to draw strong grassroots support, presenting himself as a blunt-talking reformer willing to challenge entrenched interests within the party.
His enigmatic style has energised sections of the base but also generated controversy.
For Dr Osei Adutwum, he has sought to distinguish himself with bold policy proposals, notably his pledge to introduce free university education.
Drawing parallels with the Free Senior High School programme, he maintains that extending free education to the tertiary level is achievable and necessary for national development.
He has also promised welfare initiatives targeted at improving the livelihoods of party grassroots.
Mr Agyei Agyepong, contesting the flagbearership slot for the third time after earlier bids in 2007 and 2023, has framed his campaign as a return to the party’s founding values of service, sacrifice and selflessness.
He has appealed particularly to the youth and the unemployed, urging delegates to choose leaders with innovative ideas and a clear vision for the country.
Dr Acheampong said his campaign was progressing very strongly and with clarity of purpose, saying “we have engaged close to 90 per cent of delegates nationwide, and we have done so directly, sharing our vision and listening carefully.”
“Our message is simple and firm; it is about rebuilding a party that is credible, united, and ready to govern effectively again.
The reception has been positive. Our people appreciate honesty, clarity and a clear plan. That is exactly what I am offering — and they are responding to it,” he stated.
Reforms
However, the no proxy voting threatens to disenfranchise many, especially the diasporan voters who might not be able to travel from their bases abroad to vote in person for their preferred candidates, due to work related issues.
Some political watchers have also suggested that the expanded electoral college might also push the election to a run-off or would be in favour of the two leading contenders — Dr Bawumia and Mr Agyapong.
The electoral college now includes members of the National Council, the National Executive Committee, Regional and Constituency Executive Committees, electoral area coordinators, Polling Station Executives, the National Council of Elders, National Patrons, past National Directors who are party members, Members of Parliament, past national officers, external branch delegates, founder members, TESCON representatives, ministers and deputy ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), and representatives of the party’s special organs.
Peace pact
Whichever way the outcome of the election would go, the five presidential aspirants in the contest have signed a peace and commitment pact to ensure a transparent, credible and violence-free contest.
They also pledged to uphold the collective interest of the party and support the eventual winner of the presidential primary.
With less than 24 hours to the election, one thing is clear: the outcome will shape the NPP’s future direction and its readiness for the 2028 general election.
