Seven Reasons Manasseh Azure Believes Bawumia Is the Best Choice to Lead the NPP

 

Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has outlined seven key reasons why he believes former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is the most suitable candidate to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into the future.

In a detailed analysis, Manasseh argues that Dr. Bawumia is a tried, tested, and trusted political figure who remains the party’s strongest option for regaining power. Below is a refined presentation of his arguments.

1. Tested, Proven, and Widely Marketed Candidate

In any competitive election, it is strategic to present a candidate who is already well known, tested at the national level, and politically marketable. Dr. Bawumia fits this profile.

His closest rival, Kennedy Agyapong, contested the NPP’s 2023 presidential primaries and lost to Dr. Bawumia. In the 2024 general elections, the NPP also lost both the presidential and parliamentary contests in Agyapong’s home constituency, Assin Central, as well as in the Central Region.

Despite widespread public dissatisfaction with the outgoing NPP administration, Dr. Bawumia secured 4,877,611 votes, representing 41.75% of the total valid votes cast in the 2024 presidential election—nearly five million votes.

Notably, while Dr. Bawumia obtained about 42% of the presidential vote, the NPP won only 32% of parliamentary seats. This disparity suggests that the electoral defeat reflected broader rejection of the party rather than the candidate alone.

Additionally, the North East Region, Dr. Bawumia’s home region, was the only region in Northern Ghana that the NPP won in the presidential election and where the party did not fall into a parliamentary minority.

Unlike previous candidates, Dr. Bawumia did not benefit from inherited goodwill from a preceding administration. Public anger against the Akufo-Addo government was high, making defeat almost inevitable for any NPP candidate. Under these circumstances, Dr. Bawumia remains the contender closest to returning the NPP to power in 2028 or 2032.

2. Commitment to Party Unity and National Stability

Manasseh highlights Dr. Bawumia’s ability to place collective interest above personal ambition. He draws an analogy from the biblical account of King Solomon, emphasizing that true leadership prioritizes preservation over destruction.

At a time when internal divisions threaten the unity of the NPP, Dr. Bawumia demonstrated maturity and courage by conceding defeat early in the 2024 elections—before the Electoral Commission completed its declaration. This action helped prevent post-election tensions from escalating.

While some party members criticized this decision, it underscored his commitment to national peace and party cohesion. According to Manasseh, this quality distinguishes Dr. Bawumia as a unifier capable of holding the party together.

3. A Loyal Party Man Who Has Paid His Dues

Critics often label Dr. Bawumia as an “outsider” within the NPP, partly due to his non-Akan background. Manasseh dismisses this argument as unfounded.

When Dr. Bawumia became the NPP’s running mate, individuals such as Freddie Blay were still members of other political parties. Yet Mr. Blay later rose to become NPP National Chairman. By this logic, Dr. Bawumia cannot reasonably be described as an outsider.

During the 2012 election petition, Dr. Bawumia testified and endured intense cross-examination on live television—an act that carried significant personal and political risk. In the 2016 campaign, he and his wife, Samira Bawumia, bore the brunt of attacks from political opponents while shielding the presidential candidate.

Although unfulfilled campaign promises from 2016 have been used to criticize him, Manasseh argues that many party members benefited from that electoral victory through ministerial appointments, parliamentary seats, and government contracts. Given his central role in that success, Dr. Bawumia has earned the right to lead.

4. Political History Favors His Comeback

Ghana’s electoral history shows that political parties often lose power after completing two four-year terms. Since the return to multiparty democracy in 1992, no party has governed beyond eight consecutive years.

Historical patterns show that leaders such as John Atta Mills, Nana Akufo-Addo, and John Mahama all lost elections before eventually winning on subsequent attempts. Dr. Bawumia’s trajectory, Manasseh argues, fits this established pattern.

With nearly five million votes already secured, Dr. Bawumia has a strong foundation to build upon in future elections.

5. Shared Responsibility for Economic Failures

Dr. Bawumia’s critics frequently blame him for Ghana’s economic difficulties, citing his role as Vice President and Chair of the Economic Management Team. Manasseh acknowledges that he cannot escape collective responsibility.

However, he points out that several other presidential hopefuls—Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, and Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum—were Members of Parliament who approved key economic policies, including the controversial E-Levy.

With a slim parliamentary majority, a single dissenting vote from any of these MPs could have blocked the levy. Parliament also approved loans and expenditures introduced by the Finance Minister. In this context, Manasseh argues that some of Dr. Bawumia’s critics bear equal or greater responsibility for the administration’s failures.

6. The “Akufo-Addo Puppet” Narrative Is Weak

Another long-standing criticism is that a Bawumia presidency would merely extend President Akufo-Addo’s influence. Manasseh dismisses this claim, noting that historical examples—such as Atta Mills succeeding Rawlings—prove that successors are not necessarily controlled by their predecessors.

He further notes that President Akufo-Addo appears to have adopted a more neutral stance in the current NPP race, weakening the argument that Dr. Bawumia would be unable to lead independently.

7. Clear and Coherent Campaign Messaging

Among all contenders for the NPP leadership, Dr. Bawumia stands out for presenting the most coherent and structured campaign message. While not all proposals may be feasible, his policy articulation remains more detailed and consistent than those of his rivals.

Manasseh concludes that Dr. Bawumia’s clarity of vision, experience, and communication skills give him a distinct advantage.

Conclusion

According to Manasseh Azure Awuni, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia remains the NPP’s most viable option to rebuild, unite the party, and compete effectively in future elections. His experience, resilience, and electoral history position him as a strong contender capable of leading the party forward.