The 2024 flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called for unity among members as they work to rebuild after a historic defeat in the 2024 general elections.
The party, which had been confident of breaking the eight-year governance cycle since 1992, lost the presidential election by a margin of about 1.7 million votes and secured only 88 out of 276 parliamentary seats.
Speaking to some members at a Minority caucus retreat in Kwahu in the Eastern Region, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia acknowledged that internal divisions within the party had contributed to its electoral defeat.
“What we need most at this point is unity. During the run-up to the last election, we were too vicious against each other internally. Later, this division became part of the arsenal our opponents used against us,” said the former Vice President.
Dr. Bawumia cited how former President John Agyekum Kufuor successfully led the NPP to victory in the 2000 general elections after suffering defeat in 1996.
“Sometimes, I hear people ask, ‘Where do we start from?’ The words of President Kufuor always ring in my mind. He told me that after the 1996 defeat, when he secured 39%, he too wondered where to start. But with unity and hard work, in just four years, we crossed 50%. In the last election, we got 41%. I am confident that with unity and a common purpose, in less than four years, Ghanaians will decide to bring us back in 2028,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia also commended the NPP’s parliamentary caucus, describing them as the party’s most formidable wing in the quest to reclaim power.
“It is evident that the most formidable wing the NPP has to soar in 2028 is the parliamentary caucus. You have proven yourselves in the last few months of this 9th Parliament to the admiration of the party’s base.
“Many have likened you to the Minority of the 2nd Parliament, led by our father, J.H. Mensah. The party will be forever grateful to you. I call you the Mighty Minority—88 Infantry Battalion, commanded by Hon. Alexander Kwamena,” the former NPP flagbearer added.
