Former Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South and a leading member of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team, Samuel Atta Akyea, says the former Vice President deserves another opportunity to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into a general election.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Friday, January 9, 2026, Mr Atta Akyea argued that the NPP has, over the years, maintained a tradition of backing candidates who initially fell short in national elections but later went on to win power.

According to him, the party did not abandon former President John Agyekum Kufuor after his first attempt, just as it stood by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who contested several times before finally securing victory.

“Well, it's eminently sensible that he's given another chance. The history of our electoral system and victories are clear," he said.

"If you pay regard to what happened to President Kufuor first of all, he was advertised and he had 39%. The party, in its wisdom, said, we are not going to start from ground zero and bring another person? He went again. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had three times."

Mr Atta Akyea insisted that the same logic should apply to Dr Bawumia as the party prepares for its January 31, 2026, presidential primaries.

He further contended that Dr Bawumia stands apart from the other contenders in the flagbearership race because of his exposure and prior testing on the national stage.

According to him, while other aspirants may be competent, they would effectively be starting from “ground zero” in a general election, especially against a governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) that would still need to resolve its own internal succession battles.

"NDC is going to have an internal combustion, which is very serious, because now President Mahama is no longer there. They will need to fight hard. Somebody will come out. Now that person will have to be advertised."

“Dr Bawumia has already been advertised. At his debut, he secured 41.7%. So, trying to add 9% or 10% so that he will cross us on the 50 plus one, which is easier. You want to go and bring somebody who is not known,” he explained.

He also rejected suggestions that the former Vice President’s previous loss weakens his candidacy, insisting that, despite intense public scrutiny, Dr Bawumia’s integrity remains intact.

“Every filthy thing has been said about this man, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. And guess what? He's never been tainted with corruption. His character is not dented. So this is the best individual in terms of comparative advantage that the NPP needs," he added.