Political analyst Nana Kofi Frimpong Ziega has urged New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong, to consider selecting Samira Bawumia as his running mate if he wins the party’s presidential primaries, describing the move as a strategic step toward unity and party cohesion.
Speaking on Kessben TV, Mr. Ziega warned that the NPP is currently facing deep internal challenges that could threaten its chances in the 2028 general elections.
“The NPP has lots of problems. If the NPP comes into power in 2028, it will be a miracle,” he said.
According to the analyst, the tone and conduct of the ongoing internal campaigns are worrying and risk creating lasting divisions within the party.
“The campaign they are doing is very scary. With the campaign they are doing, it does not look like if one wins, the others will support,” he stated.
Mr. Ziega described the situation as more dangerous than previous periods of internal tension in the party’s history.
“This campaign is dangerous, more than in 1998 when they were going to Sunyani, even when they described former President Kufuor as a stammerer who could not speak good English,” he noted.
He further compared the current rhetoric to violent political episodes in the country’s past.
“This is also more serious and dangerous than when the NDC went to Koforidua in 2005, when some people got hurt. We are not seeing physical fights now, but they are saying things that will affect the progress of the party,” he added.
Raising concerns about post-primary unity, the analyst questioned the commitment of some party figures to campaign for rival aspirants if they lose.
“Listening to Abronye, what shows that he will campaign for Kennedy if he wins?” he asked.
As a solution, Mr. Ziega proposed that Mr. Agyapong should adopt an inclusive strategy if he emerges victorious.
“If Kennedy Agyapong loves the party, he should choose Samira Bawumia as a running mate. The woman is a politician,” he said.
He argued that such a decision would broaden the party’s appeal and heal internal divisions.
“This will also gain him the support of women and Muslims,” he explained.
Mr. Ziega further suggested that, should Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia win the primaries, he must equally pursue reconciliation within the party.
“If Bawumia wins, which I know he will, I am expecting him to use the campaign heads for the various aspirants to lead his campaign, using most people in Kennedy’s campaign team to kill differences,” he said.
According to him, deliberate efforts at inclusion and reconciliation are essential for the NPP’s long-term survival.
“If they do this, I believe it will enhance their future as a political party,” he concluded.
