The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2028 flagbearer and leader, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has signalled a nationwide search for potential parliamentary candidates capable of winning seats for the party in the 2028 general election.
Dr Bawumia said the party would not rely solely on aspirants who present themselves for parliamentary primaries but would actively identify individuals considered capable and electorally competitive and persuade them to contest.
The move, he explained, is intended to prevent situations where aspirants win internal party primaries but struggle to secure victory in the general election.
“Some people can win parliamentary primaries because they have money, but they cannot win the election,” Dr Bawumia said.
“If you leave it to them, they will win the primary, then you have lost the seat.”
He disclosed that the candidate-search process was already underway and would involve assessments from multiple independent sources before potential candidates are approached.
“If we find out that this is the person who can win us the seat, we will persuade that person to become a candidate,” he said.
Dr Bawumia also indicated that the NPP intends to hold its parliamentary primaries early to enable the party to complete its internal elections and focus on preparations for the 2028 general election.
His comments could, however, fuel debate within the party over the fate of incumbent MPs and prospective candidates as the NPP begins the process of selecting parliamentary candidates.
Concerns have emerged over whether the proposed candidate-search strategy could disadvantage sitting MPs, particularly those who did not support Dr Bawumia during the party’s internal presidential contest.
However, Dr Bawumia did not state in the remarks that MPs who opposed his candidature would be targeted or removed. His stated position was that the party should identify candidates based on their ability to win constituencies in the general election.
The issue of parliamentary candidate selection is already attracting attention within the NPP.
Okaikwei Central MP Patrick Yaw Boamah has separately cautioned the party against imposing parliamentary candidates on constituencies, urging its leadership to rely on credible research and grassroots assessments when selecting candidates ahead of 2028.
The developments come as the NPP reorganises its structures following its National Delegates Conference in Kumasi and prepares for the 2028 presidential and parliamentary elections.
