A poll conducted by Kwadwo Poku Nsiah one of the contenders vying for the position of a flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming 2024 presidential elections has ranked Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia above Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, Kennedy Agyapong, Boakye Agyarko, Addae-Nimoh, and Dr Akoto Afryie in the upcoming flagbearer contest.
Intimidated by the outcome of his research, the wannabe flagbearer has thrown in the towel while acknowledging Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia as a tough competitor, even before he declares his intention to run.
Poku admitted that Bawumia’s political prowess poses a challenge to his ambition to become the NPP flagbearer and President of the Republic. He recognized that his competitors, Alan Kyeremanten and Bawumia, are more popular and may attract more votes than him due to their higher household recognition.
He disclosed that an online survey conducted showed Bawumia in the lead, followed by Kyeremanten, and himself in third place. Despite this, Poku expressed a realistic approach, acknowledging the need to identify the strengths and weaknesses of his opponents and work towards overcoming them to increase his chances of winning.
Conceding defeat before a race is an act of acknowledging the strength and abilities of one’s competitors and accepting the likelihood of losing. It is a display of maturity, sportsmanship, and respect for the electoral process.
While some may view conceding defeat as a sign of weakness, it is, in fact, a wise move that shows a level of self-awareness and strategic thinking. By acknowledging one’s opponents’ strengths, weaknesses, and popularity, a candidate can reevaluate their campaign strategy, focus on their strengths, and highlight their unique qualities and accomplishments that differentiate them from their opponents.
Conceding defeat before the race also helps to reduce tension and negative campaigns, which often result in personal attacks and smear campaigns. It creates an environment of healthy competition, promotes issue-based campaigns, and enables a peaceful transition of power.