‘I smiled through the storm’:Bawumia opens up on lies and vilification during NPP primary

Former Vice-President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has for the first time detailed the scale of personal attacks he faced during the party’s recent presidential primary, revealing that the harshest criticisms came from members of his own political tradition.

Speaking at a Muslim thanksgiving prayer service held at the National Mosque in Accra on Friday, Dr. Bawumia described the internal contest as a deeply taxing experience, but credited his patience, character, and faith in God for his eventual and decisive victory.

“We have been through a gruelling election cycle. One that has the potential to have caused wounds and strained relationships,” Dr. Bawumia told the gathering. “Elections can leave scars that may not show on the surface but can sometimes cut deeply.”

Reflecting on the campaign for the party’s 2028 presidential slot, the flagbearer recounted a barrage of what he termed falsehoods and personal insults directed at both him and his family. He stated that the attacks were fueled by tribal and religious bigotry from within the party’s ranks.

“Throughout this campaign, I have listened to my own party members insult me, I have listened to them tell lies about me and my family, I have listened to them say hurtful and unprintable things about me… It was a storm of lies and vilification against me and my family,” he revealed.

Despite the intensity of the provocation, Dr. Bawumia stated that he deliberately chose not to retaliate. He explained that his response was guided by Islamic teachings, specifically citing the Quran and Hadith which advocate for patience and repelling evil with good.

“It is in following with His teachings that I chose not to respond to all the lies and insults. I smiled through the storm because I knew Allah knows the truth and will not forsake me. Thankfully, God’s mighty will was shown on January 31st, 2026, when He rewarded me with a stunning victory at the primaries.”

Dr. Bawumia interpreted his overwhelming endorsement by delegates as a clear rejection of divisive politics within the NPP. He asserted that the results demonstrated the party’s commitment to competence over parochial interests.

“I was so happy with the overwhelming nature of the victory because it showed very clearly that the NPP is not a tribal party and it also showed clearly that the NPP is not a religiously bigoted party,” he stated. “The delegates showed that our party votes on the basis of competence, capability, vision, character, humility, integrity and tolerance and not on the basis of tribe or religion.”

The thanksgiving service, held immediately after Jummah prayers, marks the beginning of a series of national thanksgiving events by the party. An inter-denominational Christian service is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, in Accra.

In his address, Dr. Bawumia urged party faithful to view the occasion not as a personal celebration, but as a moment for reflection and rededication. He called for unity ahead of the 2028 general election, appealing to members to close ranks and focus on shared objectives.

“Today’s thanksgiving service is not a celebration of personal ambition. It is for me, a moment to join you all in reflection, prayer and recommitment to a higher cause – the cause of contributing to the building of a nation that is truly great and strong,” he said.

Warning against complacency, he reminded the party that “victory in 2028 will not be gifted to us. It must be earned, constituency by constituency, household by household, with humility and purpose.”