The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) July 19 Delegates Conference at the University of Ghana Stadium has ignited internal strife, with Kennedy Agyapong’s campaign team accusing organizers of orchestrating preferential treatment for former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
In a sharply worded statement, campaign spokesperson Kwasi Kwarteng alleged that Bawumia was granted exclusive access to the stadium’s inner perimeter to interact with delegates a privilege denied to other flagbearer hopefuls. “This engineered optics creates a skewed impression of massive support,” Kwarteng asserted, arguing that genuine grassroots sentiment was reflected outside the venue, where rivals like Agyapong engaged delegates under equal conditions.
The Agyapong camp framed the incident as a repeat of missteps that contributed to the NPP’s 2024 election loss, warning against “stage-managed spectacles” and urging delegates to prioritize “real change” over “leadership-imposed narratives.” The statement concluded with a pointed jab: “If we haven’t learnt any lessons, maybe we need a class at the Patriotic Institute.”
While Bawumia’s visible reception dominated coverage, the backlash underscores a fiercely contested flagbearer race ahead of the 2026 primaries. Analysts suggest the NPP faces a critical test in balancing internal unity with democratic fairness as it rebuilds for the 2028 elections.
