January 31st primary only poll I believe in – Adutwum

New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, says election day, not opinion polls, will determine the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer in the January 31 primaries.

Dr. Adutwum, who is contesting the party’s presidential primaries, said he remains unmoved by surveys and commentaries that have consistently placed him near the bottom of the rankings.

“I have seen the polls. I have heard the commentaries. I have read the predictions,” he said. “But my brothers and sisters, I believe in only one poll, the one that happens on election day, 31st January.”

The former minister is competing against Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, former Agriculture Minister Dr. Bryan Acheampong and Kennedy Agyapong in the race for the party’s leadership ahead of the 2028 general election.

Despite unfavourable polling figures, Dr. Adutwum expressed confidence that the mood within the party and among ordinary Ghanaians tells a different story from what surveys suggest.

“History has taught us that Ghana is not moved by noise, Ghana is moved by truth, hard work and conviction,” he said.

Drawing on his interactions across the country, he argued that the sentiment on the ground reflects optimism rather than statistical projections.

“When I walk through our communities, when I sit with teachers, parents, traders, students and party faithful, I do not hear numbers, I hear hope,” Dr. Adutwum stated.

He dismissed the idea that opinion polls alone can capture voter intent, insisting that leadership readiness matters more than pre-election rankings.

“And hope cannot be measured by surveys,” he added. “This journey is not about rankings, it is about readiness.”

Dr. Adutwum said he remains calm and focused as the primaries approach, stressing that the final decision rests with party delegates, not political analysts.

“On January 31st, it will not be analysts who decide, it will be the people,” he said, expressing firm belief that the outcome will vindicate his confidence.

The former Education Minister has positioned himself as the New Patriotic Party’s strongest option going into the 2028 general election, pointing to his record in government and his vision for national development.

“I believe with every fibre of my being that victory will speak for itself,” he said.

Dr. Adutwum urged party members to focus on the ballot rather than external commentary, calling on delegates to rally behind his candidacy on voting day.

“Vote number four on the ballot,” he appealed, signing off his message with the slogan, “The Adutwum Factor.”

The NPP primaries are expected to be closely watched as the party prepares to select its next presidential candidate.