For the record, it is NEVER TRUE that, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is the first NPP presidential candidate, on his very first attempt, to secure more than two regions in the decisive round of a general election.
This can be backed by the following facts:
1. In 2008, Akufo-Addo won 4 out of the then 10 regions in the first round with 49.13%(Ashanti, Eastern, Brong-Ahafo & Western).
After the 2008 second round, Akufo-Addo won 2 out of the 10 regions with 49.77% (Ashanti & Eastern).
The percentage difference between 1st and 2nd round of Akufo-Addo’s performance shows that there was even an increase of 0.64% (that is 49.77 – 49.13 = 0.64).
Akufo-Addo lost the 2008 election with only 40,586 votes (0.46%) but secured a respectable Parliamentary Seats of 107 against NDC’s seats of 116; a difference of 9 Seats (116 – 107 = 9).
2. In 2024, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia won 3 out of 16 Regions (Ashanti, Eastern & North East) in the 1st round with 41.75% (275/276 Declared Constituencies). However, the actual data is 38.2% after the declaration of 276/276 Constituencies.
It is important to state that, if we are scientifically comparing the 16 Regions in 2024 to the 10 Regions in 2008, it means that, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia won only Ashanti Region & Eastern Region, the typical two strongholds of the NPP considering the fact that North East was originally part of the Northern Region in 2008.
Therefore, the result of the 2024 election clearly shows that, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia may not be popular in the Ashanti and Eastern Region.
For instance, Nana Akufo-Addo had 72.40% and 74.94% in the Ashanti Region respectively for the 1st and 2nd round of the 2008 elections. However, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had only 65.36% in Ashanti Region during the 2024 election.
Again, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia abysmally lost the 2024 election with 1, 714, 179 votes (over 1.7 million deficit), and a Parliamentary minority of 88 against 183 of NDC; an embarrassing difference of 95 Seats(183 – 88 = 95).
The gap between Mahama and Bawumia in 2024 was 14.67% whereas the gap between Mills and Akufo-Addo in 2008 was only 0.46%.
Comparison of 1992 & 1996 to 2008 & 2024
1. Prof. Adu Boahen contested the 1992 election as an opposition leader to a Military leader who has governed the country at that time for 11 years. This is unlike Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who was the sitting Vice-President for 8years.
2. Prof. Adu Boahen won only one Region out of 10 yet obtained 30.29%, unlike Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who won 3 out of 16 Regions (technically 2 out of 10 Regions since North East was originally part of Northern Region) yet obtained only 38.2%.
3. John Kufuor contested the 1996 election as an opposition leader against a sitting president of 15 years yet obtained 39.67% after winning only Ashanti Region(1 out of 10 Regions) unlike Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who contested the 2024 election as a sitting president yet obtained 38.2%.
Conclusion
It would be advisable for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his people to STOP discussing electoral DATA because no matter how they play with the numbers, it will still NOT look good for them.
…. Signed….
Razak Kojo Opoku(PhD)
Founding President of UP Tradition Institute
