Following the official declaration of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primary results on Saturday evening, January 31, 2026, former Education Minister and Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has formally conceded defeat and pledged his “wholehearted support” to the winner, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
In an address to his supporters and the nation at the NPP headquarters, Dr. Adutwum described the internal contest as a “fierce battle” but emphasized that the emergence of a clear leader marks the beginning of a unified march toward the 2028 general elections.
Dr. Adutwum revealed that he had already placed a personal call to Dr. Bawumia—whom he affectionately referred to as “my brother Muhammad”—to offer his congratulations on securing the flagbearership.
“I called my brother, my brother Muhammad and I congratulated him for the sweet victory that he has secured and I believe that the elephant will come back on track,” Dr. Adutwum stated. “We will be out of the wolves. We are going to secure victory in 2028.”
The Bosomtwe MP stressed that the path to reclaiming executive power requires the party to heal any fractures caused by the primary campaign. He noted that the “better days of our party are ahead of us and not behind us,” provided that all factions rally behind the new leadership.
Dr. Adutwum expressed profound gratitude to his family and the “good people of Bosomtwe constituency” for their unwavering support throughout his campaign tour. He also thanked the broader party faithful who welcomed him across the country, acknowledging that while he did not win the ultimate prize, he accepts the verdict of the delegates.
“I want to say I accept the fact that I did not win but I know somebody has won. I wholeheartedly support the winner so that this party will secure victory come December 7, 2028 and move into government in 2029,” he added.
The concession speech serves as a critical milestone for the NPP as it seeks to project a united front. Adutwum’s emphasis on bringing the “great elephant party” back to its rightful place in government—and significantly, as a majority in Parliament—resonated with delegates who had expressed fears of a fractured party post-primary.
With Dr. Bawumia’s victory now undisputed and endorsed by key rivals like Adutwum, the NPP officially shifts its focus to the “rebuilding journey” toward the next national election cycle.
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