Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Vice President of Ghana, secured a commanding and decisive victory in the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) presidential primary held on Saturday, January 31, 2026. This triumph officially positions him as the party’s flagbearer for the upcoming 2028 general elections. His landslide win, which many within his campaign described as a foregone conclusion, underscored the delegates’ preference for strategic continuity and a leader deeply connected with the party’s “political DNA.”

The official declaration by Electoral Commission (EC) officials at the NPP National Headquarters confirmed Dr. Bawumia polled an impressive 110,643 votes, accounting for 56.48% of the total valid votes cast. Out of 196,462 total votes nationwide, 561 ballots were rejected. His victory surpassed the requisite 50% threshold with ease, making a runoff unnecessary. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former Assin Central MP, placed second with 46,554 votes (23.76%). Dr. Bryan Acheampong garnered 36,303 votes (18.53%), while Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum received 1,999 votes (1.02%), and Kwabena Agyei Agyapong secured 402 votes (0.21%). More than 190,000 delegates participated across 333 polling centers in all 275 constituencies, in a process widely praised for its peaceful and transparent conduct.

Following the clear results, all four unsuccessful aspirants—Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyapong—formally conceded defeat and pledged their full support to Dr. Bawumia. Dr. Bryan Acheampong was among the first to call and congratulate Dr. Bawumia, acknowledging the “big blow” but affirming readiness to support the “bigger agenda.” Similarly, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum called his “brother Muhammad” to congratulate him, expressing confidence that the “elephant will come back on track.” Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyapong also accepted the delegates' decision, stating, “We’ve closed this chapter. It’s now time for us to work in harmony.” These acts of political sportsmanship were hailed by party elders as crucial for internal cohesion.

In his acceptance speech, delivered before a jubilant crowd at the party headquarters, Dr. Bawumia extended an olive branch to his rivals, declaring that the time for internal contest had ended and the era of cooperation had begun. He emphasized that the primary was merely a “family contest” and that the real work—the 2028 national campaign—begins immediately. “Together we stand, divided we fall,” he proclaimed, appealing to all delegates and supporters to set aside differences and rally behind the shared vision of the party. He pledged to work closely with party leadership at all levels to restore discipline and unity, stressing that internal divisions could undermine the NPP’s chances in the next general election.

Leading figures within the NPP echoed calls for unity and lauded Dr. Bawumia’s leadership. Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the lead spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia’s campaign, highlighted the delegates’ historically sophisticated approach to recapturing power, making Bawumia the “most rational choice.” John Ntim Fordjour, a member of Bawumia’s campaign team, described the victory as a collective win for all candidates, urging a united campaign. Former President Nana Akufo-Addo, visibly jubilant and singing a celebratory anthem, expressed confidence in Dr. Bawumia’s competency, intellectual depth, and leadership qualities, pledging to devote his energy to uniting the party and rebuilding support across the country. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the 2024 running mate of the NPP, thanked delegates and stressed the importance of shifting focus from internal competition to collective purpose for electoral success.

Elder statesman Prof. Mike Oquaye described Dr. Bawumia as a “peerless figure” in Ghana’s constitutional history, citing his policy-driven approach, “Economic Reset,” and digitalisation agenda as his greatest strengths. Prof. Oquaye asserted that Dr. Bawumia's impact on national governance makes him the most formidable candidate for 2028, confidently stating, “he will beat them,” referring to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The 2026 primary marked a significant internal democratic exercise for the NPP, utilizing its newly expanded voter album which included former party card-bearing Ministers, MMDCEs, and TESCON presidents, increasing eligible delegates to over 211,849. This reform, adopted in July 2025, aimed for a more inclusive flagbearer selection. Despite isolated reports of minor friction, the process was widely commended by local and international observers for its transparency and the professional presence of the Ghana Police Service. As the NPP now transitions from internal competition to national mobilization, the focus is squarely on presenting a united front and reclaiming power in the 2028 general elections with Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia at the helm.