Former Deputy Minister for Information and former Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Perry Okudzeto, has commended the conduct of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) ongoing presidential primaries, describing the process as peaceful, orderly and successful.

Mr Okudzeto made the remarks after casting his vote in the Ho Central Constituency, noting that delegates had turned out in large numbers and conducted themselves with maturity across the various voting centres.

“People have come out in their numbers to exercise their franchise. The security services have played their role, and the Electoral Commission has also done its part,” he told journalists.

He further praised the conduct of the candidates, their agents and party officials, attributing the calm atmosphere to the fact that the exercise is an internal party process.

“I will commend the candidates and their agents at the centres I visited. There has been a high level of maturity, and generally, the exercise has been successful so far,” he said.

Expressing confidence in a smooth conclusion, Mr Okudzeto said he anticipated an orderly counting and collation process leading to the declaration of a winner.

“I am hopeful that we wrap up smoothly, proceed to counting and collation, and finally declare the winner,” he added.

While acknowledging the primaries as an internal party affair, the former Deputy Information Minister openly declared his support for Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the preferred flag bearer of the NPP.

“Beyond today, the outcome I am looking forward to is Dr Mahamudu Bawumia being crowned flag bearer of the NPP,” he stated.

According to Mr Okudzeto, Dr Bawumia possesses the experience, temperament and vision required to lead both the party and the country, particularly as the NPP prepares for the 2028 general elections.

“He has the necessary experience, he is formidable, a winnable candidate, and has the right temperament and vision to lead Ghana,” he stressed.

He further argued that Dr Bawumia’s prior exposure as a presidential candidate places the NPP in a strategic position ahead of the 2028 polls, especially as the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is expected to field a new candidate.

“The NPP will have the advantage in 2028 by presenting a candidate who has already been to the polls, while the NDC introduces a new candidate into the contest,” he explained.

Calling for unity after the declaration of results, Mr Okudzeto emphasised the importance of a clear and decisive outcome to foster cohesion within the party.

“What I want is a wide margin that will ensure unity and cohesion. Once the gap is clear enough, all sides will fall in line and we will come together as one unit to prosecute the 2028 campaign,” he concluded.

The NPP presidential primaries continue across the country, with party leadership hopeful that the process will deepen internal democracy and position the party strongly ahead of the next general elections.