Walewale Member of Parliament Mahama Tiah Abdul-Kabiru has endorsed former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia as the strongest candidate to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into the 2028 general elections, citing experience and policy depth as decisive advantages.
Speaking to MyNewsGh at a thanksgiving service held days after Bawumia secured the NPP flagbearer position, Abdul-Kabiru stated that the former vice president possesses superior qualifications compared to potential competitors. Bawumia won the party’s presidential primaries on January 31, 2026, securing 110,643 votes, representing 56.48 percent of valid ballots cast.
The Walewale legislator emphasized that leadership extends beyond campaign rhetoric, arguing that Bawumia’s extensive public service record positions him advantageously for the forthcoming electoral contest. Abdul-Kabiru warned that underestimating Bawumia’s electoral viability represents a strategic miscalculation.
Bawumia defeated four challengers including Kennedy Agyapong, who received 46,554 votes or 23.76 percent, Bryan Acheampong with 36,303 votes representing 18.53 percent, Yaw Osei Adutwum who secured 1,999 votes at 1.02 percent, and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong who obtained 402 votes for 0.21 percent. The Electoral Commission declared results following voting at 333 centres nationwide, with 196,462 total ballots cast including 561 rejected votes.
Abdul-Kabiru, a political protégé of Bawumia, holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Hiroshima University in Japan and represents Walewale constituency in the North East Region.
Bawumia addressed a National Thanksgiving Service at the National Mosque on Friday, February 13, 2026, calling for party unity and cautioning that victory in 2028 requires sustained grassroots mobilization. He urged party members to prioritize national healing over personal ambition while warning the current government against political retribution.
The former vice president announced plans for nationwide engagement over coming weeks to acknowledge member contributions and reorganize policy structures ahead of the 2028 campaign. He emphasized that the internal contest concluded peacefully, describing it as evidence of the NPP’s maturity as a democratic institution.
All four defeated aspirants publicly accepted results and pledged support for Bawumia’s candidacy. Kennedy Agyapong, Bryan Acheampong, Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong issued separate statements committing to unified party efforts toward recapturing political power in 2028.
The NPP has initiated reconciliation processes across constituencies to address internal divisions following the competitive primary election. Former Suame Member of Parliament Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu confirmed that Bawumia personally spearheads efforts to reunite party factions.
Unity walks have occurred in multiple regions including Tamale, where participants wore shirts featuring images of all aspirants to symbolize collective commitment.
The NPP lost the 2024 presidential election to John Dramani Mahama, who secured approximately 56 percent of votes while Bawumia received roughly 41 percent. Party strategists indicate rebuilding requires addressing grassroots demobilization. The NPP holds minority status with 88 parliamentary seats compared to the NDC’s 183 seats.
