Gabby: Bawumia popularity gaining positive strides

By Justice Dzido On Jun 7, 2024

A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has established the fact that, NPP’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is gaining positive traction with his campaign as the December election draws nearer.

Speaking on a panel discussion on ChannelOne TV’s, Mr Otchere-Darko noted, “So, the positive aspect of a recent poll is it doesn’t mean that Bawumia will win the election. But I think the positive aspect is that it appears his candidacy is gaining traction. And if it’s gaining traction, it should help his base in tackling the apathy, that is there.”

He pointed out that apathy is a significant challenge for an incumbent, adding that a candidate’s base will be re-energised if they believe in his potential to win.

Gabby Otchere-Darko further explained that an incumbent’s chances of winning an election largely depend on overcoming apathy, as a part of the population might be dissatisfied due to unmet expectations.

He added, “People who voted for you, expectations in this country, like many others, are sometimes too high. So, it’s about apathy, that’s the first difficulty that an incumbent faces. I think that the basic antidote to apathy is your base believing that you can win. If they begin to believe that it is possible that you can win. Then they will also be re-energised.

“If you’re an incumbent, your biggest fundamental issue will be apathy, if you’re an incumbent, its biggest issue, it is how do you energise your base? Because the opposition naturally is hungry for power. So, you expect that naturally, they will be more energised. And then when you’re an incumbent, there are those who think that maybe we haven’t benefitted and are unhappy with one or two things.”

Meanwhile Vice Chairman of the Bawumia Campaign Team, Nana Akomea has disclosed that Bawumia’s running mate will be announced by end of June.

“We told him to take all the time he needed to make all the consultations that he felt he had to do. So, Bawumia has been elected just about six months ago, so it is not that late. But I can assure you that in this month of June, he will announce his running mate. He will bring a name to the National Council. Before this month ends, you should have an announcement, but as to who will be announced, we don’t know” he made it known in an address to the media.