The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is reportedly grappling with fears of losing the upcoming December 7 presidential election after their candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, drew the number one spot during the Electoral Commission’s balloting in Accra on Friday. While the number may seem advantageous on the surface, historical patterns suggest that the NPP could be heading towards a repeat of past electoral defeats, fueling anxiety within the party.
Leaked details from a confidential meeting, which included members of Bawumia’s campaign team and senior NPP executives, reveal growing concern over the symbolic weight of the number one position. According to insider reports leaked to Ghanapoliticsonline.com, party leaders are not only uneasy about their spot on the ballot but are also strategizing on how to counter the narrative that the number one position is an ominous signal for first-time NPP presidential candidates.
Historically, the number one position has not been kind to the NPP. In 1992, Professor Albert Adu Boahen, who ran as the NPP’s first presidential candidate, occupied the number one position but lost the election to Jerry John Rawlings of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Similarly, in 2008, Nana Akufo-Addo, contesting his first presidential election, also drew number one on the ballot and was defeated by John Evans Atta Mills of the NDC in both the main election and the runoff.
This historical trend has sparked fears within the party that Bawumia, now facing his first presidential contest in 2024, may also fall victim to the “curse” of the number one position. Sources from the leaked meeting claim that while the NPP is not pleased with the outcome of the EC’s balloting, they are exploring ways to turn this potential disadvantage into an opportunity.
“The team is aware of the myths surrounding the number one position, especially for first-time candidates like Bawumia,” the source revealed. “They are now focused on finding a strategy to reframe the narrative and sell the number one spot as a symbol of leadership and victory.”
Despite the concerns within the NPP camp, the party remains confident in its achievements over the past eight years in government, with Bawumia and his team vowing to mount a formidable campaign in the weeks leading up to the election.
While the NPP faces this internal unease, other parties also secured their positions in Friday’s balloting. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) drew the number eight position, while the All People’s Congress (APC), led by Hassan Abdulai Ayariga, will be listed ninth. Kofi Akpaloo of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) drew the fifth spot, and Nana Akosua Frimpomaa of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) secured number seven.
As the December election approaches, the spotlight is now on how the NPP will tackle this symbolic hurdle and whether Bawumia can defy history to secure victory for the party.
