Bawumia Widens Gap with Over 33% from Second-Placed Aspirant
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been officially declared the winner of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primaries, securing a commanding and outright victory to become the party’s flagbearer for the 2028 general elections.
According to certified results released by the Electoral Commission following the collation of votes from all 333 polling centres nationwide on January 31, 2026, Dr. Bawumia polled 110,643 votes, representing 56.48% of the total valid votes cast.This decisive performance places him well ahead of his closest rival, Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who garnered 46,554 votes (23.76%).
The margin between the two stands at 32.72 percentage points, well over the 33% gap highlighted in early analyses, underscoring Bawumia’s strong dominance across most regions and constituencies.Dr. Bryan Acheampong finished third with 36,303 votes (18.53%), while Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum placed fourth with 1,999 votes (1.02%).
Minor candidates and rejected ballots accounted for the remainder. The primaries, which saw participation from over 200,000 delegates voting at centres spread across Ghana’s 16 regions, were described by party officials as peaceful and well-organized. Bawumia swept victories in 14 out of 16 regions, with notable exceptions in Volta (won by Acheampong) and Central (won by Agyapong), yet his national lead remained unassailable.In a post-victory address, the former Vice President expressed gratitude to delegates and emphasized unity moving forward.”I thank every delegate who placed their confidence in me. This victory belongs to the NPP family,” Bawumia said. “We must now close ranks, listen to our supporters, including those who stayed away in the last election, and rebuild stronger for 2028. The NPP will listen, unite, and deliver for Ghana.”
Party insiders and analysts point to Bawumia’s grassroots mobilization, digital outreach, and perceived continuity from his previous role as key factors in the result. His campaign team, highlighted the deep loyalty within party structures as a driving force behind the outcome.
Reactions poured in swiftly on social media and from party figures. Supporters celebrated with jubilation scenes in several constituencies, while some aspirants’ camps acknowledged the results.
With no need for a run-off, thanks to Bawumia’s clear majority exceeding 50%, the NPP now turns its focus to consolidating support and preparing for the 2028 presidential race against the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and other contenders. Political observers view Bawumia’s win as a signal of continuity within the NPP, positioning him to lead efforts to reclaim power after the party’s performance in recent elections.
As the dust settles on the primaries, all eyes are on how the party heals internal divisions and rallies behind its new flagbearer for what promises to be a fiercely contested 2028 battle.