Following Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s decisive victory in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries, political scientist Dr Kwame Asah-Asante has called on the flagbearer to make party unity his immediate priority, warning that lingering divisions could threaten the party’s 2028 ambitions if not swiftly addressed.
Speaking on post-primary developments, Dr Asah-Asante stressed that Dr Bawumia’s first major task is to “smoke the peace pipe” with aggrieved aspirants, party financiers, grassroots supporters and factions who may feel bruised by the intensely contested race.
According to him, while winning the primaries is a significant milestone, it is only the beginning of a much tougher journey. He noted that history has shown that parties that fail to reconcile after internal elections often struggle to present a united front during national campaigns.
“The primaries are over, but emotions are still high. Dr Bawumia must reach out to everyone—those who supported him and those who didn’t. Healing the cracks within the NPP is not optional; it is essential,” Dr Asah-Asante emphasized.
The political analyst explained that reconciliation should go beyond public handshakes and statements, urging the flagbearer to engage in deliberate consultations, assign meaningful roles to former contenders and reassure supporters that the party belongs to all, not just the victors.
He further noted that Dr Bawumia’s ability to unify the party will send a strong signal to floating voters and the wider electorate that the NPP is stable, focused and ready to govern.
Dr Bawumia, who emerged victorious after a closely watched contest involving several high-profile party figures, has since pledged to run an inclusive campaign and work with all stakeholders to secure victory in the next general election.
As the dust settles on the primaries, many political observers believe the coming days will be critical, with Dr Bawumia’s peace-building efforts likely to shape not only the mood within the NPP but also the party’s overall chances in the highly competitive national race ahead.
