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Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer, has revealed that members of his campaign team strongly opposed his decision to concede defeat in the December 7 election, a move he made just hours after vote counting began.
The Electoral Commission later declared John Dramani Mahama the winner on December 9, with 6,328,397 votes, representing 56.55% of the valid ballots.
Speaking to supporters at his residence on Thursday, December 26, Dr. Bawumia explained that his early concession was motivated by a desire to maintain Ghana’s peace and stability.
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“Some members of my team didn’t agree,” he said. “They insisted, ‘We don’t have all the data yet; let’s wait.’ But I replied, ‘We already know the data is accurate from our own systems.’”
Dr. Bawumia noted that delaying the concession could have fuelled unnecessary tensions and even violence, especially given the rumours circulating at the time.
“Waiting would have created more tension,” he explained. “People were beginning to believe we were attempting to rig the election because that was the narrative out there. I wasn’t going to allow that perception to fester.”
He also acknowledged the unconventional nature of his decision. “No one had ever conceded an election before the Electoral Commission’s official declaration, but I believed it was the right thing to do. There’s always a first time.”
Dr. Bawumia’s prompt concession has since been lauded as a significant step in upholding Ghana’s democratic values and ensuring a peaceful post-election environment.
