Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
In the wake of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) recent electoral setback, former Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has called for patience and a data-driven approach before deciding on the 2024 Flag-bearer for the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s future as the party’s flagbearer.
Breaking his silence on the matter, Mensah-Bonsu emphasized the need to await the findings of the post-election committee before making any definitive judgments.
A Time for Reflection, Not Hasty Decisions
“I’d rather not discuss it right now,” Mensah-Bonsu stated, acknowledging Bawumia’s current role as party leader and the sting of the recent loss. He cautioned against the blame game that has already begun, suggesting that responsibility for the outcome is shared across the board.
“In my opinion, everyone played a role. Even I’ve been blamed by some, with a few suggesting that Kyei Mensah Bonsu’s leadership change contributed to our defeat,” he admitted, referencing suggestions that his leadership transition contributed to the party’s performance.
The Unprecedented Bawumia Campaign
Speaking in an interview with Kojo Marfo on AbusuaNkommo at Abusua965FM, Mensah-Bonsu offered a candid assessment of Bawumia’s campaign, describing it as unlike anything he’d witnessed before.
He mused on potential alternative scenarios, questioning whether a different approach might have yielded a different result.
“The campaign run by Bawumia was unlike any I’ve seen before. I wonder, what if he hadn’t run that campaign? Perhaps the consequences would have been different. Maybe we would have secured 60 seats instead of 88”, he emphasized.
Waiting for the Verdict
However, Mensah-Bonsu stressed that these were merely hypothetical scenarios. His core message was one of measured consideration. “We should let the committee complete their work. If, upon conclusion, their findings indicate that Bawumia performed exceptionally well, despite the outcome, then no one can fault him, and we should consider continuing our support for him.”
He was quick to add “It’s too early to say whether Bawumia should continue, considering that the committee’s findings have not been established yet. It wouldn’t be wise to make a decision now, so we should wait to see the committee’s findings”
2016 vs 2024: A Tale of Two Campaigns
Kyei Mensah-Bonsu also shared his observations on the vastly different atmospheres that characterized the 2016 and 2024 campaigns.
He said “In 2016, people were enthusiastic, eager to listen to our message,” he recalled. “But in 2024, it was a different story. The atmosphere was different. In town, only a few people showed interest, while others seemed indifferent. I sensed it would be tough, but we remained hopeful, given Bawumia’s impressive performance, surpassing all our previous presidential candidates since 1992”.
Despite the shifting tides, Mensah-Bonsu highlighted Bawumia’s relentless dedication. “Every constituency we visited had three engagement sessions…he consistently spoke for one hour, totalling three hours per constituency. We covered three constituencies daily. Speaking for nine hours every day, I was afraid he would break out, but his high spirits remained unwavering.”
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