Former Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has expressed strong confidence that former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will secure more than 65 per cent of the votes in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) upcoming presidential primaries.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme, Mr Egyapa Mercer said he would be “very surprised” if Dr Bawumia fails to cross that margin, citing what he described as growing and consolidating support within the party.

“If Bawumia does not secure more than 65% of the votes in the NPP primaries, I will be very surprised,” he said.

His comments follow a public declaration by 118 former NPP parliamentary candidates who have openly endorsed Dr Bawumia ahead of the party’s presidential primaries scheduled for January 31, 2026. According to Mr Egyapa Mercer, the number of supporters could rise to 142, as some names were not included in the initial list.

He explained that the group undertook an assessment of the qualities required to position the party for a comeback following the 2024 general elections and concluded that Dr Bawumia best fits the expectations of Ghanaians.

“Ghanaians are seeking specific traits in a leader, and Bawumia surpasses expectations in those areas. We have engaged with all key stakeholders, and as former parliamentary candidates who have experienced campaigns firsthand, we believe it is crucial to rally behind him,” he said.

Mr Egyapa Mercer stressed that the endorsement followed extensive consultations and noted that former parliamentary candidates remain influential voices within the party, often consulted by grassroots members ahead of major political decisions.

He also clarified that the public declaration is not intended to undermine the ambitions of other aspirants, but rather reflects the group’s conviction that Dr Bawumia stands out as the strongest candidate.

“Our open declaration is significant because many in our community consult with us before making decisions. While we have great respect for the other aspirants and recognise they are excellent individuals, we genuinely believe that Bawumia stands out as the strongest candidate, without any malice or disdain for the others,” he added.