NPP Urged to Ignore ‘Sponsored’ Press Conference Targeting Bawumia
A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) communications team, Yaw Preko, has dismissed a recent press conference held by a group in the Ashanti Region criticizing former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as a “sponsored” attempt to tarnish his reputation. Preko urged party members and supporters to remain focused and not be swayed by what he described as a deliberate smear campaign.
In a Facebook post, Preko emphasized that Dr. Bawumia’s standing within the NPP is well-earned and does not require external validation. “Do not be alarmed or distracted by these sponsored press conferences aimed at discrediting Dr. Bawumia. We are focused, and no one needs to impose him on us. He has earned his place in the party through hard work and dedication,” he stated.
The press conference in question was organized by a group calling itself the Concerned Traders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Kumasi. During the event, the group rejected any possibility of Dr. Bawumia becoming the party’s flagbearer for the 2028 general elections. The group’s spokesperson, Benjamin Ofori, argued that the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections highlighted the need for a new candidate.
Ofori blamed the party’s loss on unpopular government policies and the selection of Dr. Bawumia as the 2024 presidential candidate. He claimed that the assumption that Dr. Bawumia would secure votes from the northern and Islamic communities failed to materialize, leading to significant losses in those regions. “The party’s performance in the northern regions was embarrassing, losing four out of five areas. Even in Dr. Bawumia’s home region, the margin of victory over former President John Mahama was minimal compared to 2020,” Ofori stated.
However, Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, former CEO of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme, countered these claims, asserting that the 2024 election defeat was a reflection of the NPP’s eight years in power rather than the candidacy of Dr. Bawumia. In a Facebook post, Nkansah argued that the loss should not be pinned on a single individual.
“The 2024 election was a referendum on our eight years in government. From the President and Vice President to ministers, board chairs, CEOs, and all appointees, everyone who held power or influence during that period may have contributed to the defeat in some way,” Nkansah wrote. He added, “We will not tolerate any attempt to scapegoat Dr. Bawumia for the loss. Those with ambitions to lead the party should not push false narratives. Let us wait for a thorough investigation into the causes of our defeat instead of rushing to blame one person.”
Nkansah’s comments come amid growing tensions within the NPP as the party reflects on its 2024 electoral performance and strategizes for the future. While some factions are calling for a new direction and leadership, others are defending Dr. Bawumia’s contributions and urging unity.
As the debate continues, the NPP faces the challenge of reconciling internal divisions and rebuilding ahead of the 2028 elections. The party’s ability to address these issues and present a united front will likely determine its prospects in the coming years.
