University of Ghana lecturer at the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Prof. Ezekiel Nortey, has reaffirmed former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s commanding position in the NPP flagbearer race, stressing that his strong delegate base continues to secure him a clear lead.

Speaking on Joy Prime on January 28, Prof. Nortey said the polls have consistently placed Dr Bawumia ahead of his rivals.

“If you look at the polls that have been coming, it’s been consistently in favour of Dr Bawumia. It looks certain that he’s a frontrunner,” he explained.

He noted that Dr Bawumia currently commands between 50 and 60 per cent of delegate support, a margin that reflects his dominance in the race.

“Well, I see him running between 50 and 60 per cent of the delegates that would be casting their vote. And once you go beyond 50 per cent, you are winning,” Prof. Nortey emphasised.

While acknowledging that some delegates have shifted their support to other contenders, Prof. Nortey maintained that the Vice President’s numbers remain decisive.

“The support base keeps changing, because some of them are moving either for Dr Bryan Acheampong or for any other guy. But Dr Bawumia has a very strong delegate base,” he said.

He compared the bases of support between the leading contenders, pointing out that Dr Kennedy Agyapong enjoys grassroots appeal. “Dr Kennedy seems to have a grassroots support base. When you talk to people outside, they want Kennedy.

But when you talk to those who are actually going to cast their vote, it looks like they want Dr Bawumia,” Prof. Nortey explained.

Prof. Nortey also highlighted the rise of Dr Bryan Acheampong, who has seen his support grow significantly in recent months. “Gradually, he’s moved from the 2–3 per cent into about 12 per cent, which is phenomenal. Very phenomenal. I see that as a two-horse race, but Dr Bryan Acheampong is also emerging. He has an emerging support base,” he observed.

He concluded that despite the shifting dynamics and the rise of other contenders, Dr Bawumia’s delegate strength secures him a commanding lead in the contest.

“It’s shaping into a two-horse race, but Dr Bawumia’s delegate base makes him the clear frontrunner,” Prof. Nortey stated.