A senior member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said that party delegates sent a clear message against tribalism and religious bigotry when they chose Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the party’s flagbearer for the 2028 general election. The comments were made by Kofi Tonto, a political aide, following the conclusion of the party’s presidential primary.
According to Tonto, delegates showed that merit and competence mattered more than claims based on tribe or religion in the voting process. He noted that the choice of Dr Bawumia reflected the desire of party members to move beyond divisive campaigning tactics and focus on qualities that can advance the party’s mission.
The debate around tribal and religious issues came up during the flagbearer race, with some critics suggesting that Dr Bawumia’s background could influence electoral outcomes. Supporters of Dr Bawumia and analysts argued that such claims were not representative of the views of most delegates and that voters acted on the basis of credentials and vision.
Supporters of the flagbearer said that rejecting bigotry in the primary sends a positive signal for the NPP as it heads into the next general election. They argued that focusing on unity and shared goals will help strengthen the party’s appeal to a wide range of voters across the country.
The debate highlights ongoing tensions within political contests, where questions of tribal and religious identity sometimes become part of campaign narratives. Party leaders have increasingly called for respect and unity within the NPP as the focus shifts to national elections.
