Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the newly elected flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has issued a strong call for unity and reconciliation following his decisive victory in the party’s presidential primary, urging members to close ranks and focus on winning the 2028 general elections.

Addressing party supporters at the NPP national headquarters shortly after the Electoral Commission officially certified the results on Saturday night, January 31, 2026, Dr. Bawumia emphasised that the period of internal competition had ended and that the party must now move forward as one united front.

Framing the contest as a family exercise rather than a divisive struggle, the former Vice President stressed that the survival and success of the Elephant Party depended on cooperation, mutual respect and collective effort.

Dr. Bawumia’s victory was commanding both in numbers and spread. He secured 110,643 votes, representing 56.48 per cent of the total valid votes cast, dispelling earlier projections of a tightly contested race. His closest challenger, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, polled 46,554 votes (23.76 per cent), while Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture, placed third with 36,303 votes, accounting for 18.53 per cent.

Acknowledging the intensity of the campaign and the sharp rhetoric that characterised parts of the contest, particularly between rival camps, Dr. Bawumia appealed to the more than 190,000 delegates who took part in the primary to put emotions aside and work together for the greater good of the party.

“Together we stand, divided we fall,” he declared to loud applause, adding that the outcome of the primary should mark the beginning of renewed cooperation among party members.

He made a direct appeal to supporters of his rivals who may feel disappointed by the outcome, urging them to rally behind the party’s long-term vision and legacy. According to him, internal unity would be critical to sustaining the NPP’s political fortunes and achieving victory in 2028.

The primary was conducted at 333 polling centres across all 275 constituencies nationwide, under the security supervision of the Ghana Police Service. Observers, both local and international, described the process as transparent and credible, with party officials reporting that the exercise was largely peaceful, aside from a few isolated incidents.

In concluding his acceptance speech, Dr. Bawumia pledged to lead an inclusive and unifying campaign that draws strength from all segments of the party. While his landslide victory consolidates support within the party’s mainstream, he acknowledged that success in the 2028 general elections would depend on energising the grassroots supporters who backed other contenders.

“The strength of our party lies in unity,” Dr. Bawumia stressed, noting that only a united NPP could present a compelling alternative to the Ghanaian electorate in the next general elections.