Bawumia is a threat to NDC – Asiedu Nketiah hints
Fresh comments by the National Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, have triggered intense political debate after he openly cautioned party supporters against placing their hopes in former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia ahead of the 2028 general elections.
The remarks, made during his ongoing “Thank You Tour” across parts of the Savannah Region, are being interpreted by political observers as a sign that the NDC leadership sees Dr. Bawumia as a major political threat despite the party’s return to power under President John Dramani Mahama.
Addressing party supporters in Salaga on May 14, Asiedu Nketiah warned frustrated NDC members not to believe that a future government led by Dr. Bawumia would improve their conditions more than the current Mahama administration.
“If Dr Bawumia becomes President, he can’t deliver what we need. Ours is the NDC, President Mahama is our President. Don’t think that if you queue at Bawumia’s office, you will be sorted out,” he declared.
His comments immediately fueled speculation that the ruling party has already begun strategizing against a possible Bawumia-led comeback by the opposition New Patriotic Party in the next election cycle.
The NDC chairman’s remarks come at a time when sections of the ruling party’s grassroots are expressing frustration over appointments, access to government opportunities and what some supporters describe as neglect after helping the party to secure power in the 2024 elections.
Political analysts believe the repeated mention of Dr. Bawumia by senior NDC figures suggests growing concern within the governing party over his continued influence, especially among young voters and party supporters who still view him as a formidable national political figure despite the NPP’s defeat.
During another stop of his “Thank You Tour” at Daboya Mankarigu in the Savannah Region, Asiedu Nketiah appealed to NDC supporters not to publicly attack the Mahama administration out of disappointment over appointments and government positions.
“So those of you who brought the NDC government to power, don’t give up. Don’t begin running your own government down. If you do that, you are running yourself down,” he told supporters.
The veteran politician admitted that frustrations existed within the party but insisted the Mahama administration was laying a strong foundation to reset the country and stabilize governance.
“The rest of the country thinks that NDC has done well and that the NDC government is on the path of reset,” he stated.
He further revealed that he was fully aware of the long-term plans being implemented by government and therefore would not encourage supporters to rebel against the administration.
“I sit with the government, and I know the good plans the government is implementing. I will not come and instigate you to begin attacking our government,” he added.
Using a food metaphor to call for patience among party supporters, he said the government needed time to fully implement its policies before supporters began demanding rewards and positions.
“Don’t let us rush to eat half-cooked food. Let us have patience for the food to be well-cooked before we can begin to struggle about who takes the biggest share,” he explained.
The latest comments by the NDC chairman come amid growing internal concerns within the ruling party over the relationship between government appointees and the grassroots base.
Several senior party figures, including Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande, have recently admitted publicly that tensions exist between the party structure and sections of the Mahama administration.
Gbande disclosed during separate television and radio interviews that many grassroots supporters and former party officials currently feel sidelined despite their sacrifices during the election campaign.
“The relationship between the party and the government to ensure that we succeed together has not been the best,” he admitted.
The growing internal conversations within the NDC have coincided with increasing political discussions about the future leadership of the opposition NPP and the possible return of Dr. Bawumia as the party’s presidential candidate in 2028.
Although the NPP lost the 2024 elections, Dr. Bawumia remains one of the party’s most influential figures and continues to command strong support among sections of the youth and party loyalists.
Political watchers say the decision by Asiedu Nketiah to repeatedly caution supporters against turning to Dr. Bawumia reflects fears within the NDC that the opposition could quickly reorganize and mount a serious challenge in the next general elections if internal frustrations within the ruling party continue to grow.
Throughout his tour, Asiedu Nketiah has repeatedly emphasized unity within the NDC and warned supporters against actions that could weaken the Mahama administration before the next electoral contest.
“We have come back onto our winning ways,” he told party supporters. “There is no turning back.”
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