The five aspirants in the NPP flagbearer race
A final opinion poll conducted by policy think tank Africa Policy Lens (APL) on the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primaries has placed Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia far ahead of his competitors, reinforcing perceptions that the race has effectively narrowed into a one-man dominance.
According to the survey, Dr Bawumia scored 69.7% when respondents were asked whose message among the aspirants was clear and convincing, dwarfing figures recorded by his closest challengers—Kennedy Ohene Agyapong with 48.3% and Bryan Acheampong with 40.5%.
The remaining aspirants, Kwabena Agyapong (0.6%) and Yaw Osei Adutwum (0.4%), barely registered on the credibility scale, while 11.6% of respondents said none of the candidates had impressed them.
APL’s analysis accompanying the data notes that “three out of the five candidates had a clear message, but Dr Bawumia seems to have made the most impression.”
That verdict, now supported by hard numbers, is likely to deepen unease within sections of the party already worried about an emerging inevitability around the Vice President’s candidacy.
Perhaps more politically significant is the poll’s comparison between voter preferences before and after the aspirants’ recent engagements and visits.
The figures show Dr Bawumia’s support rising from 54.09% before the visits to 61.00% after, suggesting that his outreach efforts are not only consolidating his base but also winning over undecided delegates.
In contrast, Kennedy Agyapong’s support dipped from 27.74% to 25.10%, while Bryan Acheampong saw a modest rise from 3.14% to 5.20%.
The undecided category dropped sharply from 14.34% to 8.00%, with the data implying that the bulk of those voters are breaking in Dr Bawumia’s favour.
On policy substance, respondents said the aspirants performed best on themes of party unity and reconciliation (52.9%) and support for grassroots and delegates (51.9%)—two areas that have dominated campaign rhetoric across all camps.
However, only 16.6% felt the candidates adequately addressed strategy to win national elections, while 28.3% cited policy vision for the country.
Even more worrying for a party in opposition-building mode, just 10.5% believed the aspirants spoke convincingly about internal party reforms.
While some party members believe polls do not win elections, the APL data will inevitably shape narratives within the NPP’s delegate community.
For Dr Bawumia’s camp, the numbers reinforce claims of momentum and broad acceptability.
For rival aspirants, they signal a shrinking window to change the dynamics of the race.
Source:
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