Veteran journalist Paul Adom-Otchere has expressed concern over former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s performance in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer race, noting that his current polling figures fall below expectations for a second-time aspirant. Speaking on Newsfile on January 24, Adom-Otchere highlighted discrepancies in recent polls conducted by various analytics firms.
According to Info Analytics, Bawumia’s support has fluctuated slightly, polling 57% on January 19, dipping to 56% on January 20, and returning to 57% on January 23. His closest rival, Kennedy Agyapong, has been polling between 28% and 32%, with minor support distributed among other candidates. Another polling source, Evans Duah, presented a more concerning picture for Bawumia, showing him at 36% while Kennedy Agyapong leads at 52%.
Adom-Otchere stressed that historical trends for the NPP suggest second-time presidential aspirants typically improve their vote share. He cited examples from past elections, including former President John Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo, noting that initial losses were followed by significantly higher support in subsequent bids.
“Even if Bawumia wins, the percentage is below the expected trend,” Adom-Otchere said. “This is not just about leading; the numbers signal a potential challenge within the party that must be addressed.”
The journalist’s analysis has prompted discussions among political observers about voter behaviour and internal party dynamics ahead of the 2026 NPP primaries.