New scientific research carried out by KAS Research has revealed that 67.9% of New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates who will be voting in the party’s 31 January 2026 presidential primaries prefer the former Vice President and NPP 2024 presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to lead the NPP into the December 2028 presidential elections.
The researchers worked with the NPP delegates’ sample size of 5,036. 3,363, representing 66.8% were males, and 1,673, representing 33.2% were females. They also had an NPP non-delegates sample size of 13,194, out of which 6,384 (48.4%) were male and 6,810 (51.6%) were female.
The age groupings of the respondents were between 18 and 25, 26 and 35, 36 and 45, 46 and 55, and 56 and above. The educational level of the respondents ranged from those with no formal education to those with tertiary education. The residence type of the respondents was urban, peri-urban, and rural.
For the delegates, 3,846 (76.4%) were Christians, 1,020 (20.3%) were Muslims, 85 (1.7%) were Traditional Religion, and another 85 (1.7%) were non-religious. 9,585 (72.6%) of the non-delegates sample size were Christians, and 3,032 (23%) were Muslims. 275 (2.1%) practice Traditional Religion, and 299 (2.3%) were non-religious.
Best character and leadership
Among other questions, the researchers asked the respondents, “Which of the following personalities (Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Bryan Acheampong, Kennedy Agyapong, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Kwabena Agyapong) possesses the character and leadership required to strengthen and rebuild the NPP to be competitive in the next general elections?
“The data regarding which personalities possess the character and leadership required to strengthen and rebuild the NPP for future electoral competitiveness shows a clear and decisive pattern. Among NPP delegates, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia commands overwhelmingly strong support, with 69.8% identifying him as the preferred personality to lead the party’s rebuilding effort.
“This level of endorsement from delegates who constitute the core of the party’s internal electoral machinery indicates a high degree of confidence in Dr. Bawumia’s leadership capacity, political experience, and perceived ability to unify various factions within the party,” the research indicated.
“For non-delegates, Dr. Bawumia also emerges as the leading figure, although at a lower but still substantial proportion of 52.9%. The gap between delegates and non-delegates suggests that while his appeal is broad and nationally significant, delegates view him even more favourably, likely due to his long-standing involvement in party structures and his visibility in government.
“Kennedy Agyapong stands out as the second most preferred personality, receiving 22.5% support from delegates and a higher 31.2% among non-delegates. His stronger appeal among non-delegates highlights his reputation for outspoken advocacy, anti-corruption rhetoric, and grassroots mobilisation.
“His populist communication style appears to resonate more deeply with the broader party base than with the delegate class. Support for Dr. Bryan
Acheampong remains modest, with 6% among delegates and 8% among non-delegates, indicating recognition of his leadership potential but not at a scale comparable to the top two figures,” the research work further pointed out.
“Similarly, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum and Hon. Kwabena Agyapong receive minimal support, suggesting that their leadership appeal is either limited or overshadowed by the more dominant figures. The “Other” category, comprising 0.6% of delegates and 3.9% of non-delegates, indicates some openness to alternative options, particularly among non-delegates.
“The overwhelming support for Dr. Bawumia among delegates and the strong backing among non-delegates reinforces his strategic positioning as the unifying figure capable of restoring momentum within the NPP.
“This broad endorsement suggests that he is perceived as the candidate best equipped to bridge internal divides, articulate a coherent vision for the party, and appeal to a national electorate. However, the substantial support for Kennedy Agyapong among non-delegates signals the presence of a strong populist undercurrent that the party must carefully manage,” the researchers further observed.
Best suited to lead
Another question posed to the respondents by the researchers was, “Which of the following NPP potential leaders (Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Bryan Acheampong, Kennedy Agyapong, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Kwabena Agyapong) do you believe is best suited to lead the party into the next elections?
“The results show a clear preference among both NPP delegates and non-delegates for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the individual best suited to lead the party into the next general elections.
‘Among NPP delegates, 67.9% believe Dr. Bawumia is the most qualified to lead the party, making him the overwhelming favourite within the core decision-making group.
“This result demonstrates strong confidence in his leadership, political profile, and ability to unify the party across different levels. Hon. Kennedy Agyapong emerges as the second preferred candidate with 21.3% of delegates viewing him as best suited to lead the party,” the research findings noted.
While significantly lower than the support for Dr. Bawumia, this indicates a sizable minority within the party leadership structure that values Kennedy Agyapong’s direct style, perceived honesty, and grassroots appeal.
The remaining candidates, including Dr. Bryan Acheampong (6.5%), Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum (1.3%), Hon. Kwabena Agyapong (2.4%), and other potential leaders (0.6%) receive comparatively minimal support, reflecting their more limited influence or visibility among delegates.
“To the non-delegates, the pattern is similar but less pronounced. Dr. Bawumia leads with 50.7%, indicating that although he remains the clear favourite, the broader party membership and electorate show a more competitive landscape.
“Kennedy Agyapong gains 29.7% support among non-delegates, which is substantially higher than among delegates, suggesting stronger grassroots resonance and potential appeal among the wider population.
“Support for Bryan Acheampong (8.7%), Adutwum (3%), Kwabena Agyapong (4.1%), and others (3.8%) is somewhat higher among non-delegates than among delegates, possibly reflecting more diverse preferences in the broader party base,” the research findings further read.
“Overall, these patterns illustrate that while Dr. Bawumia enjoys dominant support within party structures, Kennedy Agyapong’s influence is more significant among non-delegates, pointing to a more dynamic competitive environment at the grassroots level.
“Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is widely viewed by both delegates and non-delegates as the most capable leader to guide the NPP into the next elections, though grassroots support shows a more competitive environment than is evident among party elites.
“The results highlight both strong internal consensus and latent internal variations that the party must navigate to sustain unity and electoral strength in the upcoming election cycle,” the researchers further discovered.
Regional breakdown
The researchers in their findings also predict that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is leading in all 16 Regions in the country ahead of the party’s presidential primaries. He leads in the Ahafo Region with 52.4% (delegates) and 36.2% (non-delegates), Ashanti Region 61.1% (delegates) and 46.4% (non-delegates.
In Bono East Region, Dr Bawumia leads with 65.1% (delegates) and 53.5% (non-delegates), Bono Region 65.2% and 33.6% for delegates and non-delegates, respectively. Central Region, 49.2% for delegates but behind Kennedy Agyapong for non-delegates.
58.2% and 44.7% among delegates and non-delegates from the Eastern Region, 68.4% and 44.7% for Greater Accra, 95.5% and 80.9% for North East Region, 85.1% and 67.6% for Northern Region, 64.2% for delegates in Oti Region but behind Kennedy Agyapong for non-delegates, 92.6% and 80.9% for delegates and non-delegates in Savannah Region.
For the Upper East Region, Dr Bawumia leads with 62.4% and 49.6% among delegates and non-delegates, Upper West 89.1% and 82%, 72% and 54.6% among Volta Region delegates and non-delegates, and 77.8% and 67.4% for the Western North Region.
Credit: Mynewssourceonline
