Unity Over Tradition: Bawumia Includes Rivals in Nationwide NPP Thank You Tour
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the 2024 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has extended an invitation to his former primary challengers—Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai-Nimoh—to join him on a nationwide Thank You Tour.
The initiative aims to strengthen party unity ahead of future elections.
During the tour’s launch at the NPP headquarters in Accra on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Dr. Bawumia emphasized that breaking from tradition by including his former rivals underscores his commitment to consolidating the party’s base.
“Unity is my priority, which is why I’ve chosen to depart from the usual solo Thank You Tour,” he explained.
“By inviting my fellow contestants, we can embark on this journey together, sending a strong message of solidarity.”
Self-inflicted defeat
Reflecting on the NPP’s 2024 election loss, Dr. Bawumia admitted the defeat was largely self-inflicted due to internal divisions and voter apathy.
“Despite our efforts, we suffered a major setback—not because of external forces, but because many of our supporters stayed home,” he said.
Comparing voter turnout to the 2020 elections, he noted, “2.1 million NPP voters abstained in 2024. “The path to victory is clear: if we unite and mobilize our base, we will win.”
The ‘Thank You Tour’ marks a strategic effort to reignite enthusiasm and mend fractures within the party ahead of the next electoral cycle.
