Vice President Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Super Delegates Conference, held on August 26, 2023, across the nation, has successfully concluded. The results reflect a resounding victory for the current Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia.
Out of a total of 958 super delegates, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, affectionately known as DMB, secured a total of 629 votes, equating to 68.15% of the total valid votes cast.
Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, came in second with 132 votes, accounting for 14.30%, while John Alan Kyeremanteng, former Trade Minister and long-time presidential aspirant, managed only 95 votes, representing 10.29%.
After the release of the results, Dr. Bawumia spoke to journalists at his residence, expressing gratitude for the party’s trust in him. He remarked, “I am very humbled and very grateful for this election. But this is only the first step toward winning the party’s flagbearership. The main event is December 2024, and as we work together, we must remember that our goal is a victory in December 2024.”
Acknowledging the challenges ahead and the requirements for winning the 2024 elections, DMB emphasized, “This will demand unity among ourselves and among all the flagbearer hopefuls. As we embark on this journey toward December 2024, maintaining solidarity within our ranks is crucial. We must work together and preserve this vital unity.”
Why is Bawumia Unopposed?
Leading up to the Super Delegates Conference, expectations were high, and many predicted the election outcome. The results unequivocally demonstrate overwhelming support for DMB, surpassing all other contenders. This outcome might not come as a surprise to those who closely followed the elections.
If the results had been closely contested, it would have made sense to proceed to the National Delegates Conference on November 4, 2023. However, with DMB securing over 68% of the votes and his closest rival gathering only 14.30%, the context heavily favours DMB.
Examining the results from all 16 regions, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia emerged victorious in each one. This, in my perspective, establishes him as the favoured presidential candidate for the NPP. Historically, the Super Delegates are indicative of all other members who will cast their votes on November 4, 2023.
Given the structure of our politics and the often unseen pressures that compel most delegates to vote in a certain way, it is highly improbable that any of the candidates can surpass the winner of the Super Delegates Conference.
Democratic competition consumes substantial resources, time, and energy. In light of this, and considering historical precedents, the scale is tipped overwhelmingly in favour of DMB. With due respect, I submit that the remaining four candidates should abstain from competing against DMB at the November 4, 2023 conference. Instead, they should redirect their resources to support Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the likely flagbearer, in his pursuit of breaking the eight-year cycle.
Conclusion
This piece aims not to dissuade the other four candidates from competing against DMB at the November 4, 2023, National Delegates Conference. Rather, it underscores the fact that doing so would be futile, a waste of time, and an unnecessary source of contention.
The tensions, negative discourse, and sometimes open disrespect toward party leaders prior to this context were disheartening. I personally had to intervene when some individuals spoke ill of certain candidates. This friction stemmed from the internal competition for leadership within the party.
Politics operates on timing and seasons, and the current circumstances undeniably favour DMB. The remaining candidates garnered a total of 31.85% of the valid votes cast in the NPP Super Delegates Conference, highlighting where the party’s preference lies.
On November 4, 2023, let all party loyalists gather at the conference venue to endorse DMB as the individual to lead the NPP into the 2024 elections. Achieving this would save both the party and individuals significant resources that would otherwise be expended on a futile contest against the party’s strong candidate, Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana.Let all those with presidential aspirations consider trying their luck in the next opportunity.
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