By: Daniel Bampoe
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is witnessing a heated internal power battle as the race to lead the party ahead of the 2028 presidential election intensifies.
With the January 2026 flagbearer contest on the horizon, two prominent figures—Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong—have begun marshalling support from different power bases within the party, signaling an early and fierce showdown for the party’s leadership.
In a strong display of parliamentary backing, former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was endorsed by 67 NPP Members of Parliament during a visit to his private office in Accra.
The MPs, who represent over three-quarters of the party’s current parliamentary caucus, assured him of their unflinching support should he declare his intention to lead the NPP once again into the 2028 general elections.
“This is a powerful show of unity and confidence,” Dr. Bawumia said after the meeting. “MPs are influential in their constituencies, and this support represents a significant step toward rebuilding our strength for the future.”
The endorsement is a major boost in his anticipated bid to lead the party again in the 2028 general elections.
On Thursday morning, a delegation of 67 NPP MPs visited Dr. Bawumia at his office in Accra to pledge their backing.
The move comes at a time when the party is yet to officially open nominations for its next presidential primary, but signals growing momentum within the party’s parliamentary caucus for Dr. Bawumia’s continued leadership.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Dr. Bawumia described the endorsement as a “strong show of support,” highlighting its importance not only in numbers but also in political influence.
“This was a very happy visit. A courtesy call and a declaration of support. I’m particularly grateful that over 60 Members of Parliament have thrown their weight behind me,” Bawumia said.
“Given that we have 88 NPP MPs in total, this is a very significant show of support.”
He also underscored the importance of leveraging this endorsement to begin preparations for future party and national development goals.
“I thank them and I thank God for this strong show of support. Now the hard work begins. We must work together to help the party and the country,” he said.
The MPs’ endorsement, though occurring before the official opening of nominations, was seen by political observers as a clear attempt to build early momentum around Bawumia’s prospective candidacy.
Among the prominent figures present were Mohammed Amin Adam, former Finance Minister, Sammi Awuku, MP for Akropong and Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, MP for Ofoanse Ayirebi—all heavyweights in the party with ties to the former Vice President’s inner circle.
The MPs in unison chanted ‘Wo y3 y3 yaa Bawumia beba’.
However, the show of support has not gone unanswered.
In what appears to be a calculated counter-move, Kennedy Agyapong, the outspoken businessman and former Assin Central MP, convened a high-level meeting with 268 former Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) at his private office, where he officially declared his intention to contest the 2026 flagbearership.
Agyapong’s engagement with the MMDCEs was positioned as a grassroots-driven strategy to rally support from the base of the party that, according to him, had long been marginalized by centralized power structures.
“You served your communities but were limited by excessive control from Accra. That will change under my leadership,” he told the visibly energized former appointees.
Highlighting his entrepreneurial credentials, Agyapong noted that he currently employs over 7,500 people and expects to create an additional 1,000 jobs when his new steel factory becomes fully operational.
“Ghana needs a practical, results-oriented leader. I am ready,” he declared.
But the dual displays of loyalty have sparked internal wrangling, with accusations and counter-accusations flying between both camps.
Kwasi Kwarteng, a spokesperson for Agyapong, cast doubt on Bawumia’s 67-MP claim, alleging that actual attendance at the meeting was far fewer than reported.
“This is nothing more than political optics,” he said.
Responding swiftly, Bawumia’s spokesperson, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, defended the numbers and slammed what he called “the hypocrisy” of the Kennedy camp.
“You once claimed to have 58 MPs in your corner. Where are they now?” he questioned. “Our supporters are not hiding. They are standing tall and showing up.”
He also revisited the 2023 internal contest, where Bawumia’s camp faced similar accusations over inflated support numbers.
“We remember what happened in 2023. Let’s not forget some who claimed to support us quietly backed others in the end,” Aboagye remarked, citing names like Cynthia Morrison and Peter Amewu as examples of shifting allegiances.
Despite the heated exchanges, party elders have begun expressing concern over the brewing tension, warning that the escalating internal battle could tear the party apart if not handled properly.
The NPP’s National Executive Committee has scheduled the flagbearer primaries for January 31, 2026—an early date set to allow the party ample time for post-primary reconciliation.
But with tensions already rising, and other potential contenders like Bryan Acheampong and Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum lurking at the corner, the path to unity remains uncertain.
However, as it stands, Dr Bawumia appears to have locked in institutional support within Parliament, while others are struggling to register their presence.
Whether this division of influence strengthens the party’s democratic credentials or deepens internal fault lines remains to be seen.
