The New Patriotic Party’s National Delegates Conference, held on Saturday at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, may have been officially focused on constitutional amendments, but the real political undercurrent was unmistakable: Mahamudu Bawumia, remains the man to beat.
The former Vice-President, whose 2028 presidential ambition is no longer a secret, arrived to a hero’s welcome that visibly eclipsed the presence and in some cases, the absence of other potential aspirants.
As delegates rose to their feet, chanting his name and waving party colours emblazoned with his image, it became clear where the crowd’s allegiance lay. Bawumia didn’t just attend the conference; he dominated the atmosphere.
Kennedy Agyapong, the former MP for Assin Central and Bawumia’s closest contender in the 2023 flagbearership race, was present at the event, but his appearance went largely unnoticed.
Similarly, other potential aspirants, such as Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum and Bryan Acheampong, were also in attendance. However, they failed to attract the same level of attention or enthusiasm from the delegates. Their relatively muted presence stood in stark contrast to the spirited reception given to Bawumia, subtly reinforcing his current dominance within the party.
Though the conference was convened to deliberate on motions for constitutional reforms, the energy inside the stadium told a different story. The loudest applause was not reserved for the motions, but for Bawumia’s arrival and continued presence. By contrast, other potential contenders barely registered.
Indeed, while Bawumia has yet to openly confirm his 2028 intentions, the machinery around him appears to be shifting into gear. Coordinated T-shirts, strategically placed placards, and well-orchestrated cheers all signalled a campaign in soft-launch mode.
The growing chorus of endorsements continues to fuel the momentum. In mid-June, over 60 NPP Members of Parliament visited Bawumia’s office, urging him to consider running again, an event he publicly acknowledged as a “strong show of support”.
Likewise, some 220 former Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) have declared their backing, describing him as the party’s best hope for 2028.
Recent polling supports this narrative, indicating that Bawumia’s support base within the party has grown significantly since the last primaries.
What this means for Kennedy Agyapong, who has insisted that the 2023 race was just the beginning of his political journey, remains uncertain. Saturday’s conference, however, suggested that his popularity within the party base may be plateauing, at least for now.
The NPP has yet to release its roadmap for flagbearer selection ahead of the 2028 elections, but insiders expect an announcement on internal polls before the end of the year. Until then, the shadow race continues.
For now, one thing is clear: Bawumia may not have spoken about his political future, but his presence on Saturday spoke volumes. And in the theatre of party politics, perception often precedes declaration.
