Friends of Bawumia, a political advocacy group devoted to supporting Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is calling on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to once again place its trust in the former flagbearer by endorsing him for the 2028 presidential elections.
In a statement signed by National Chairman Mr. Winfred Kofi Gidiglo, the group appealed to party executives, grassroots supporters, and sympathizers alike to rally behind Dr. Bawumia for a second run—not out of mere sentiment, but based on pragmatic political strategy and historical lessons.
“This appeal,” the statement noted, “is rooted not only in loyalty or sentiment… it is also rooted in strategic realism, historical precedence, and the urgent need to consolidate the party rather than divide it further in these critical times.”
Drawing from past electoral cycles, the group reminded party members that winning the presidency has never been a one-time feat in Ghanaian politics. Instead, it requires endurance, unity, and consistency.
“In 2007, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo won the NPP’s presidential primaries after a fiercely contested battle with Hon. Alan Kyerematen.
“Despite the internal friction and expenditure, Nana Addo still emerged victorious in subsequent primaries, ultimately becoming our party’s candidate again in 2010, and once more in 2014, when Alan Kyerematen no longer contested,” the statement recalled.
It continued by referencing another prominent example: “These precedents affirm a simple truth that no one has ever won the presidency on their first attempt.”
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s own political journey was also cited. He had to face internal challenges from Nana Akufo-Addo during the party’s primaries in the 1990s. But when Akufo-Addo stepped aside in 2000, Kufuor clinched victory in the national election, defeating the late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills.
According to Friends of Bawumia, these examples underscore that perseverance, name recognition, and unity are critical in securing electoral success in Ghana.
The group also pointed to the current state of the party following its 2024 defeat, arguing that the NPP cannot afford another divisive and costly internal contest.
“It takes resilience, national acceptance, party unity, and time-tested trust to win the Ghanaian electorate,” the statement said, warning that “another long, bruising, and expensive internal flagbearership contest would not only drain them financially, but further weaken an already shaken base following the 2024 loss.”
They described Dr. Bawumia as a candidate who has already been through the fire and emerged with the experience needed to move forward.
“Dr Bawumia, having led the party into the 2024 elections, remained their best chance moving forward because he has been tested,” they stated, emphasizing his appeal across diverse groups and regions in Ghana.
The group also made the case that the NDC will likely present a new face in 2028, putting their candidate at a comparative disadvantage.
“In 2028, the opposition NDC is expected to present a new candidate, which meant that their candidate would be embarking on their first national test, trying to win over Ghanaians for the first time.
“By contrast, Dr Bawumia has already done the groundwork, known, understood, and crucially trusted by many across the country.”
Friends of Bawumia warned that presenting an entirely new candidate would amount to a “dangerous political experiment” that could jeopardize the party’s recovery.
With internal divisions still lingering after the last election, the group believes it is time to heal rather than reignite rivalries.
“Let us rebuild and present a unified front to the Ghanaian people.
“Let us choose continuity over conflict and give Dr Bawumia the chance to finish what he started for the good of our party and for the future of Ghana,” the statement concluded.
