“The elections are over. The campaigning period is over.” That is the message from the camp of New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, as the party moves swiftly from internal contest to national battle.

Speaking on Channel One TV on Sunday, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, an aide to Dr Bawumia, said the party has entered a new phase and is fully focused on mounting a united and formidable campaign against the National Democratic Congress.

“We no longer have competitions. We no longer have factions,” he declared.

His comments come in the immediate aftermath of the NPP’s flagbearer election, which saw Dr Bawumia emerge as the winner with 56.48 per cent of the total votes cast.

The Electoral Commission declared Dr Bawumia victorious, securing him the party’s mandate to lead the NPP into the 2028 general elections.

His closest challenger, former Assin Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong, placed second with 46,554 votes, representing 23.76 per cent.

The contest, though competitive, raised concerns about possible divisions within the party, a reality Mr Aboagye acknowledged but dismissed as temporary.

“After competition is cooperation,” he said pointing to unity messages delivered by Dr Bawumia and the other contenders shortly after the results were announced.

“Yesterday, you heard from Doctor Mahamudu Bawumia, and you also heard from all the other four contenders,” he said.

According to him, the immediate post-election atmosphere should not be mistaken for entrenched division.

“Of course, it is barely eight hours after the elections. People need time to adjust,” he explained.

He said some supporters may still be visiting campaign offices or attempting to reorganise structures, but that phase will pass.

“Give yourself a month. All the campaign offices will be shut down,” he said. He insisted the party will soon operate under a single banner and purpose.

“One NPP flag, one political party focused on executing a formidable campaign against the National Democratic Congress,” he stated.

Mr Aboagye described the NPP as a party that thrives on ideas and internal democracy, even when competition is intense.

“The NPP is a party of ideas, and sometimes you may see us compete fiercely,” he said. But once the contest ends, he argued, party culture and democratic principles take over.

“Democracy wins, and democracy says that this is where the majority of the people are, and so everybody would rally around the leader,” he said.

He was emphatic that no group will be left behind as the party reorganises.

“There are no factions,” he said, adding that “whatever we have to do to make sure that the few outliers are brought on board, we will do it.”

He urged patience from party supporters and observers alike.

“Let’s give ourselves one to three months,” he said. “You would not even notice it.”