Mahama got a second chance, Bawumia deserves one too – Kennedy Osei Nyarko

Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has made a strong case for former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to be given another opportunity to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into the 2028 general election.

According to the NPP lawmaker, President John Dramani Mahama himself returned to the presidency after losing an election, demonstrating that political careers should not necessarily end after one defeat.

He believes the same principle should apply to Dr Bawumia, who lost the 2024 presidential election to Mahama.

‘Mahama got a second chance’

Kennedy Osei Nyarko argued that Mahama’s political comeback provides an important precedent for the NPP as it considers its future presidential candidate.

Mahama first served as President between 2012 and 2017 before losing the 2016 presidential election to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

After that defeat, Mahama returned to contest the 2020 election but lost again. He subsequently made another comeback in 2024 and defeated the NPP candidate, Dr Bawumia, to return to the presidency.

For Kennedy Osei Nyarko, that political journey demonstrates that an electoral defeat does not necessarily mean the end of a presidential ambition.

Bawumia’s 2024 defeat

Dr Bawumia led the NPP into the 2024 presidential election but suffered a decisive defeat against Mahama.

The outcome triggered intense debate within the NPP over the party’s direction and the suitability of its 2024 candidate.

As the party prepares for its next presidential contest, several figures have expressed interest in leading the NPP into the 2028 election.

The debate has consequently shifted from simply assessing the 2024 defeat to determining who can rebuild the party and successfully challenge the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

‘Give him another opportunity’

Kennedy Osei Nyarko’s argument is essentially that Bawumia should not be written off because of his 2024 defeat.

He believes the former Vice President has gained valuable political experience from the previous election and should be allowed another opportunity to prove himself.

The argument also feeds into the broader discussion within the NPP about continuity, renewal and whether the party should maintain its previous direction or completely change course ahead of 2028.

NPP faces crucial decision

The NPP is expected to face a major political test as it reorganises following its 2024 defeat.

The party will have to determine whether it wants to build around familiar faces or introduce a completely new political strategy and presidential candidate.

Kennedy Osei Nyarko’s comments are therefore likely to add fresh fuel to the conversation, particularly as the party weighs the records and political prospects of potential contenders.

His comparison with Mahama also raises a fundamental question for the NPP: should one electoral defeat be enough to end a presidential ambition?

For the Akim Swedru MP, the answer appears to be no.

His message is clear — if Mahama could return to the presidency after electoral setbacks, then Dr Bawumia, having experienced defeat in 2024, should also be given another chance to make his case to Ghanaians.