Bawumia tops how NPP from 1992 has endorsed first time flagbearers

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is the first flagbearer on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to have gained a massive endorsement, garnering over 60 percent endorsement by delegates on a first time attempt as a flagbearer.
Apart from Prof Albert Adu Boahen, who won the NPP flagbearer as a first timer in 1992, when the 1992 Republican Constitution was started, Dr Bawumia is the second person to have won the flagbearer on his first attempt.
All other flagbearers of the NPP since 1992 on their first attempt have not received over 60 percent endorsement by delegates.
Prof Albert Adu Boahen on his first attempt in 1992 was elected with 56.6 percent of the valid votes cast.

But there is the advantage factor too as Dr Bawumia had an advantage as a sitting Vice President.

The other sitting Vice President, the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama on his first and only attempt in 2007 when he had wanted to take over from President John Agyekum Kufuor came third in the primary with 6.39 percent of the valid votes cast.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was on Saturday elected to lead the NPP for Election 2024 as a flagbearer.

He won 61.43 percent of the valid votes cast.

For the other flagbearers of the NPP since 1992, it is only in their second, third and fourth attempts that their endorsement percentages went higher, that is John Agyekum Kufuor on his second, third and fourth attempts in 1996, 1998 and 2003 (unopposed).

In Kufuor's first attempt in 1992, he lost to Prof Albert Adu Boahen. It was on his second attempt that he won with 51.99 percent [See attached table below].

For Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo too, it was on his second, third and fourth attempts in 2010, 2014 and 2019 (unopposed) that he received higher endorsements of more than 60 percent.

In Nana Akufo-Addo's first attempt in 1998, he lost to John Agyekum Kufuor.

How the percentages have been since 1992

Under the 1992 Republican Constitution, the first flagbearer of the NPP, Prof Albert Adu Boahen was elected with 56.6 percent by the NPP in 1992.

In 1996, John Agyekum Kufuor on his second attempt beat Prof Adu Boahen and was elected by NPP delegates with 51.99 percent of the valid votes cast.

After his first unsuccessful attempt in 1998, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on his second attempt beat Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen in 2007 with 47.97 percent of the valid votes cast.

In 2007, the election was about to go for a second round since a winner needed over 50 percent but Alan Kyerematen conceded defeat and threw his support for Nana Akufo-Addo.

Winners of NPP flagbearer contest since 1992

• 1992 - Albert Adu Boahen - 56.6%

• 1996 - John Agyekum Kufuor - 51.97% (2nd attempt)

• 1998 - John Agyekum Kufuor- 64.60% (3rd attempt)

• 2003 - John Agyekum Kufuor - (Unopposed - 4th attempt)

• 2007 - Nana Akufo-Addo - 47.97% (2nd attempt)

• 2010 - Nana Akufo-Addo - 78.89% (3rd attempt)

• 2014 - Nana Akufo-Addo - 94.35% (4th attempt)

• 2019 - Nana Akufo-Addo - (Unopposed - 5th attempt)

• 2023 - Mahamudu Bawumia - 61.43% (1st attempt)

Read also: NPP presidential primaries since 1992

Bawumia's endorsement

Then on Saturday November 4, 2023, on his first attempt as a flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia got 61.43 percent of the valid votes cast. 

His closest challenger, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who gave him a "showdown" came second with 37.41 percent of the valid votes cast.

Indeed, polls and predictions before November 4 had projected Dr Bawumia to win between 70 to 80 percent of the valid votes cast, but through Kennedy Agyapong's showdown, that reduced to 61.43 percent.

The two other contestants in the race, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Francis Addai-Nimoh received less than one percent - Akoto (0.76%), Addai-Nimoh (0.41%).

In the Super Delegates conference in August 2023 that shortlisted five out of the 10 candidates who were in the race, Dr Bawumia got 68.15 percent, followed by Ken Agyapong's 14.30 percent, Alan Kyerematen's 10.29 percent and Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto's 3.90 percent.

Below is a table of NPP presidential primaries since 1992

1992 congress

Number of Delegates: 1,998

1996 congress

Number of Delegates: 1,996

1998 Congress

Number of delegates: 1,993

2008 congress

Number of Delegates: 2,293

2010 congress

Number of Delegates: 106,590

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh 

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