The Member of Parliament for Bimbilla and former Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, has rejected claims that support for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in Northern Ghana is driven by ethnic considerations, insisting that political loyalty in the region has always been rooted in competence and performance, not shared identity.
Speaking during Dr Bawumia’s visit to Yendi ahead of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primary scheduled for January 31, 2026, Mr Nitiwul said historical evidence clearly disproves the notion that Northerners vote along ethnic lines.
“Since the beginning of Ghana, Northerners have never in their lives voted because the person comes from the north. Northerners, especially the UP and NPP, have never voted because the person is a northerner,” he stated.
To buttress his point, Mr Nitiwul cited past political precedents, noting that the Northern People’s Party, despite holding a larger number of parliamentary seats, supported Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia of the Ghana Congress Party to lead the opposition in Parliament.
He also referenced the NPP’s internal history, recalling that Northern members of the party overwhelmingly backed John Agyekum Kufuor and later Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as presidential candidates and leaders, even when aspirants from Northern Ghana were available.
“Today, we’re not rooting for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia because he is a Northerner. We’re rooting for him because he is the most competent person. He is the one that will give us power in 2028,” Mr Nitiwul emphasized.
Expressing strong confidence in Dr Bawumia’s prospects, the Bimbilla MP added that the former Vice President would emerge victorious in both the party primaries and the general elections.
“He is going to win the elections, Insha Allah. By the grace of the Almighty, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is going to be the President of the Republic of Ghana in 2029,” he said.
Mr Nitiwul’s comments come amid growing debate within the NPP over regional dynamics and delegate support as aspirants intensify nationwide campaigns ahead of the party’s crucial presidential primary.
