The latest survey by research organisation Global InfoAnalytics, has revealed the preferred candidates of supporters of the two major political parties for their opponents in Ghana’s next major elections.
Among voters of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), they prefer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the NPP’s candidate, while supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) want Johnson Asiedu Nketiah to be elected as the flag bearer of the NDC.
According to the Executive Director of the survey house, Mussa Dankwah, NPP voters prefer Asiedu Nketiah as the NDC’s candidate because they believe he lacks the fortitude to rally nationwide appeal compared to other persons in the party.
Although General Mosquito, as he’s known in the political circles, is the party’s longest-serving General Secretary before ascending to the chairmanship role, many believe the General Secretary position isn’t a path to the presidency. The NPP voters see his support as limited to the NDC party base without nationwide appeal.
Meanwhile, NDC voters’ preference for Dr. Bawumia as the NPP’s flag bearer is based on his perceived vulnerability stemming from his role as Vice President and head of the Economic Management Team in the previous NPP administration, which faced economic challenges.
The NDC supporters believe Bawumia’s association with the erstwhile administration’s economic woes makes him an easier candidate to defeat in a general election.
They believe a different popular candidate from the NPP could pose a threat to the NDC in the next general polls other than Bawumia.
According to the survey analysis, the two parties’ struggles to select a flag bearer are not solely based on internal factors but are also influenced by opponents’ strategic preferences and public perception.
For the NPP, the data suggests a potential vulnerability for Dr Bawumia, while for the NDC, it highlights that some prominent figures may be viewed by their primary opposition as less of a threat.
This data on strategic voter preference adds a complex layer to the internal power struggles within the two political parties. It is expected that these insights will inform the parties’ choices for flag bearer, prompting them to consider not just internal preferences but candidates with nationwide appeal to secure victory.
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