Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has pushed back against growing commentary questioning Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s viability as a presidential candidate.
He said data, political history, and resilience under scrutiny all point to one conclusion that Bawumia remains the strongest contender within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Speaking on the KeyPoints with Alfred Ocansey, Bentil cautioned against what he described as self-interested political advice, warning parties not to be swayed by voices that do not have their best interests at heart.
“It is not wise to take the advice of the fox when he tells you where to store your chicken,” Bentil said on January 3.
He stressed that political strategy must be driven by evidence, not sentiments.
Bentil acknowledged the role of faith in leadership but argued that elections are ultimately won on data, outcomes, and voter behaviour, not prophecy or emotional attachment.
“I believe in God, and I believe in data,” he stated.
“Polling is a science. You ignore it at your own risk,” Bentil added.
According to him, how data is interpreted may be debated, but its value cannot be dismissed, especially in a highly competitive political environment.
Drawing comparisons with global politics, including recent developments in the United States, Bentil noted that political parties routinely make tough strategic decisions based on viability rather than popularity alone.
He argued that Dr. Bawumia has already undergone a level of scrutiny that few politicians in Ghanaian history have faced.
“This is a man who just went through an election where every aspect of his life, including how his wife dresses, was placed under intense public scrutiny,” Bentil said.
Despite that, Bentil noted, Bawumia remains one of the most popular politicians in the country.
Bentil urged Ghanaians to place Bawumia’s political journey in context, highlighting his longevity and resilience.
“He has stayed in the political frontline for about 20 years, served eight years as Vice President in a government that was just voted out, yet he remains the most popular,” he said.
“That should tell you something about the quality of that man.”
He dismissed suggestions that other potential contenders could withstand similar pressure, arguing that popularity without scrutiny does not automatically translate into electoral success.
