Accra: Mr Peter Ayamga Ayinbisa, the Upper East Regional Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has declared that former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is the party's best bet to win the 2028 presidential election. Mr Ayinbisa likened the Election 2028 to a high-stakes football encounter, 'El Cl¡sico,' comparing it to the rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona, and argued that the party must field its strongest candidate to reclaim political power.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Ayinbisa emphasized that the contest between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2028 would be too competitive for experimentation, insisting that only the party's 'best player' could secure victory. He expressed his support for Dr Bawumia, describing him as the most prepared and experienced candidate to lead the NPP into the election.
Mr Ayinbisa pointed out that Dr Bawumia's vision and eight years of experience as Vice President provided him with a strategic advantage over other contenders, positioning him to confront the NDC and tackle the challenges of incumbency. He dismissed arguments for abandoning Dr Bawumia after the 2024 defeat, citing instances from Ghana's political history where consistency led to eventual success.
He referenced former President John Agyekum Kufuor and former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's electoral journeys, as well as President John Dramani Mahama's multiple bids, to highlight the importance of perseverance in Ghanaian politics. Mr Ayinbisa noted that consistency and the potential for a 'sympathy vote' played significant roles in political victories.
Mr Ayinbisa acknowledged the difficult contest the NPP would face in 2028, particularly against an incumbent NDC government potentially utilizing state resources. Nonetheless, he expressed confidence that Dr Bawumia represented the party's strongest option to counter these advantages and appeal to voters. He stressed the need for strategic decision-making rather than trial and error, given the high stakes of Election 2028.