‘I won’t be judged by tribe or religion’ – Bawumia fires Bryan Acheampong

Former NPP presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has lashed out at rivals he accuses of using tribal and religious sentiments to discredit him ahead of the party’s 2026 flagbearer primaries.

He warned that such divisive tactics could threaten the unity of the party and weaken its chances in the next general elections.

Addressing party faithful on Sunday, August 24, Dr. Bawumia expressed concern over the direction of the internal campaign, warning that divisive rhetoric could harm the unity of the party and weaken its chances in the next general elections.

“I am very troubled that some of my fellow aspirants have chosen to rely on religious and tribal propaganda to discredit me,” he said. “Instead of focusing on the real issues and analysing why we lost the 2024 elections, they are misleading delegates and our party structures in a desperate attempt to win votes.”

Dr. Bawumia disclosed that one of his competitors had allegedly instructed delegates not to support him because of his Mamprusi background, arguing that his candidacy would make the NPP unpopular in Kusasi-dominated areas.

“An aspirant has told delegates not to vote for me because I am Mamprusi and that this would cost the party votes in Kusasi and other areas. This is very unfortunate and demonstrates a total misunderstanding of the realities on the ground,” he lamented.

His comments come in the wake of remarks by Abetifi MP and fellow flagbearer hopeful, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, who recently linked the NPP’s 2024 electoral defeat to tribal dynamics tied to Dr. Bawumia’s candidacy. Dr. Acheampong argued that previous NPP leaders, such as John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, enjoyed broader northern support because they were perceived as neutral in ethnic disputes.

But Dr. Bawumia dismissed that claim, insisting that the party’s defeat had little to do with tribal politics and everything to do with deeper structural issues. He urged aspirants to focus on uniting the party, adopting evidence-based strategies, and presenting a stronger front ahead of the 2028 general elections.

“If we continue down this path of tribal and religious propaganda, we risk undermining not just the primaries but our chances of winning back power,” he said.