Adutwum clarifies decision to contest Dr. Bawumia after unsuccessful 2024 running mate bid

Former Minister for Education and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has clarified his decision to contest against Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming 2026 NPP presidential primary, barely a year after his unsuccessful request to be Dr. Bawumia’s running mate in 2024.

This unsuccessful running mate bid, according to him, may have been an indication of a bigger yet-to-arrive mandate which extends beyond a vice-presidential candidacy.

During a one on one with JoyNews’ Evans Mensah on Tuesday, September 16, Dr. Adutwum explained that the rejection, which was not taken in bad faith, gave him much-needed time to plan and prepare for his next move; the upcoming flagbearer race.

“After the announcement came [in 2024], Bawumia called me and I went to see him at his house, he told me he couldn’t consider me and he was sorry, so I thanked him, I was not offended, I didn’t feel bad because I thought God has a plan for me and I should rather focus on it, who knows [if I will become president?], but God always has a plan for man,” he shared.

On his decision to contest an individual he had earlier requested to vice, the Former Education Minister highlighted that his research has indicated that Ghanaians are waiting for him to lead the country into prosperity, emphasizing that his chances of winning are very encouraging.

“I am going to contest him, because I have done my research, and I know something, what I know is that Ghanaians are waiting for Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, if NPP delegates do me the honor by making me the flagbearer, it is going to be an interesting story,” he added.

When asked why he would contest and not wait for Dr. Bawumia to potentially select him as running mate if he wins the 2026 presidential primary, Dr. Adutwum emphasized that his time for bidding to become a running mate is over, as he could potentially secure a presidential victory.

“No, if you can be president, why wait for running mate? Why would you wait for number two when you can be number one?” he quizzed.

“Last year I wanted to be running mate, but now times have change, I saw how we were beaten last year,” he added.

The Former Education Minister is one of five flagbearer hopefuls, including Former Vice President and 2024 NPP Presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, who will be going head to head in January 2026, vying to lead the NPP into the December 2028 elections.