President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed his optimism in the party’s Flagbearer-elect, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for victory in 2024.
The President said he has reposed his confidence in his successor and added that he will guide the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to break the eight year jinx.
Nana Akufo-Addo made the assertion in his congratulatory remarks to Dr. Bawumia after Saturday’s November 4 primaries, where the latter emerged victorious.
Addressing party supporters at the official announcement of the polls at the Accra Sports Stadium, President Akufo-Addo said Dr. Bawumia has the capabilities to unite the rank and file of the NPP to retain power in the next election.
“I am passing on the flagbearer role of our party after you have honoured me to lead this party, and you have allowed me to serve this great party. I cannot forget. I have done my best, but I am still left with one thing to do, and that is to help elect Bawumia as president. So let us pull together to ensure Mahama does not return to power,” he said.
He appealed to members of the party to put aside their differences and work together to ensure that the NDC-led John Dramani Mahama does not win the 2024 elections.
“I am confident Bawumia will be able to unite this party, with the help of the other three contestants, to inflict a successful defeat on Mahama,” he charged.
President Akufo-Addo added “My message is simple and it is one of gratitude to the regional executives, national executives, local executives, and all the people that contributed to this. And I want to thank you.”
The flagbearer elect, Dr. Bawumia emerged victorious over Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Francis Addai-Nimoh.
He polled 118,210 votes, representing 61.47%, while his closest contender, Mr. Agyapong, polled 71,996 votes, representing 37.41%.
Dr. Afriyie Akoto, who came third had 1,459 votes, representing 0.76%, while Addai-Nimoh garnered 731 votes, representing 0.41%.
The nationwide exercise had a total of 192,446 delegates voted in Saturday’s presidential primary with a total valid votes of 193,346 whiles 900 votes were rejected.
