Politics

Focus on ideas, not insults – Bawumia to NPP Flagbearer hopefuls

'Keep the guns on our opponents, not me' – Bawumia

Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has urged members and supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to conduct the upcoming presidential primary with decorum. He warned against the use of insults and personal attacks during campaigns.

Speaking on Wednesday, August 13, at the NPP headquarters in Accra, Dr. Bawumia made the call after more than 490 youth organisers — including substantive and deputy constituency youth leaders from across the country — presented his presidential nomination forms.

“I want this flagbearership election to be conducted with decorum. We’re not in a campaign of insults, and we should not be in a campaign of insults. It should be about ideas. And that is what will capture the imagination of Ghanaians,” he said.

He urged all aspirants to focus their campaigns on solutions to the country’s challenges, noting that divisive rhetoric could weaken the party and strengthen its political rivals.

“When we bring down other people, we bring down the party. Our messages will be taken by our opponents, and they will use them against us. I will not, and you will never hear me insulting any aspirants,” Dr. Bawumia stated.

He stressed the need for unity both during and after the primaries, warning that internal divisions could hurt the NPP’s chances in the 2028 general elections.

“If we divide ourselves today, we will have difficulty in uniting for a general election tomorrow. So, let us begin the process with unity, and end with unity because that will bring victory in 2028,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the party headquarters saw a large turnout as hundreds of youth organisers converged to pick up the nomination forms on Dr. Bawumia’s behalf. Addressing the media, Isaac Obeng, a youth organiser, described the event as both a celebration of young people and a significant political moment.

“Insha Allah, this day is the day Ghana’s destiny will be rewritten,” Mr. Obeng declared, lauding Dr. Bawumia’s record as Vice President and expressing confidence in his ability to lead the country.

On August 5, a group of NPP Members of Parliament picked up nomination forms for Kennedy Agyapong, considered Dr. Bawumia’s main contender in the race.