Former Speaker of Parliament and elder statesman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Prof. Mike Oquaye, has criticised the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), claiming their apprehension toward Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia stems from a fear of inevitable electoral defeat in 2028.

In an interview with JoyNews on Saturday, January 31, the veteran politician and academician described the newly elected NPP flagbearer as a peerless figure in Ghana's constitutional history, citing his policy-driven approach as his greatest weapon.

Prof. Oquaye did not mince words when comparing Dr. Bawumia’s tenure as Vice President to his predecessors in the Fourth Republic. He argued that the former Vice President's impact on national governance through innovation and structural reforms makes him the most formidable candidate for the 2028 general elections.

“The NDC don’t want him [Dr. Bawumia]. I don’t expect them to because he will beat them. If you put achievements, ideas introduced, and policies that were brought about by Bawumia, he is the best of all Vice Presidents in the history of this country since the Fourth Republic,” Prof. Oquaye stated.

The former Speaker’s endorsement comes on the heels of Dr. Bawumia’s commanding performance in the NPP presidential primary.

The former Vice President secured a decisive mandate from the party’s delegates, signalling a consolidated front as the "Elephant" party seeks to reclaim power in the next general election.

Dr. Bawumia emerged victorious with 110,643 votes (56.48%), successfully navigating a high-stakes contest against four other stalwarts.

Prof. Oquaye’s comments underscore a central theme of the Bawumia campaign: a focus on "Economic Reset" and digitalisation.

By labelling Dr Bawumia the best based on policies and ideas, the former Speaker challenged the NDC to a debate on records rather than rhetoric.

As the NPP transitions from internal competition to national mobilisation, the endorsement from a founding member like Prof. Oquaye is expected to bolster Dr. Bawumia’s standing among the party’s traditional base, many of whom look to Oquaye for ideological direction.

With the primary now concluded and the flagbearer officially declared, the NPP begins its three-year journey toward 2028 with a leader whom Prof. Oquaye believes is the NDC's "worst nightmare".