In Ghana, who wins northern votes? A fight between NPP and NDC
The historically NDC-dominated northern regions face a political shift as NPP’s Bawumia challenges the status quo in the December polls.
Analysts debate historical ties and Bawumia’s influence as an internal National Democratic Congress (NDC) strife and regional conflicts add complexity.
In the lead-up to the crucial December polls, all eyes are on the political landscape of northern Ghana, where the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition NDC are set to engage in a fierce battle for electoral dominance.
The northern regions, comprising North East, Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Savannah have traditionally been a stronghold for the NDC since the inception of democratic rule in 1992. However, the emergence of NPP flagbearer and vice president Mahamudu Bawumia has significantly altered the political dynamics in the north.
Bawumia, the son of the late Mumuni Bawumia — a former minister and chairman of the council of state — has played a pivotal role in the NPP’s resurgence in the northern regions.
The Northern People’s Party, founded by Bawumia’s father and political stalwart SD Dombo, serves as an antecedent to today’s NPP. Since Bawumia joined the political scene as a running mate and subsequently became the vice president, the party has witnessed a consistent increase in parliamentary seats in the north.
A closer look at the past electoral results in the northern region reveals a consistent pattern of the NPP increasing popular votes and parliamentary seats, despite not securing an overall victory. The question looms: will the 2024 elections break this pattern?
From The Africa Report
