NDC doesn’t like me because of the damage I did in 2016 – Bawumia

Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, says the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) dislikes him because of the political damage he caused them during the 2016 election campaign.

Addressing party supporters during a campaign event in the Oti Region over the weekend, Dr. Bawumia recalled how his prominent role in the 2016 campaign unsettled then-President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC.

“In 2016, I told Nana Akufo-Addo to allow me to come to the frontline of the campaign so I could face John Mahama,” he said. “He listened to me and excused himself so I could play a more prominent role — and you all remember what happened.”

Dr. Bawumia recounted that his fierce exchanges with Mahama drew significant public attention, shaping the campaign’s tone and outcome. “I told John Mahama he was incompetent, and that annoyed him. He didn’t like the word ‘incompetent’,” he said.

He added that the political rivalry intensified as both men traded criticisms. “He also responded, and I retaliated, and he also retaliated,” Bawumia said. “While we were trading barbs, Nana Akufo-Addo sneaked by and scored a goal, and we won the 2016 election.”

The former vice president said his vigorous campaign messages contributed to the NDC’s defeat, which he believes is why many of its supporters still harbor resentment toward him. “That campaign was a heated one, and that is why the NDC members don’t like me,” he remarked. “At the mention of my name, they rain insults on me.”

He urged NPP supporters to remain united and confident as the party prepares for the next general election, saying victory will depend on hard work and determination.

The January 2026 presidential primaries of the opposition NPP is set to feature former Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong.

The aspirants have repeatedly trade barbs over the real reasons for the party’s historic defeat last year. Dr. Acheampong and Mr. Agyapong have repeatedly warned that giving Dr. Bawumia a second opportunity to lead the party will be damaging to the party’s 2028 electoral fortunes.