Former Upper West Regional Minister Dr Hafiz Bin Salih has refused to distance himself from the three candidates he openly backed ahead of the New Patriotic Party’s National Delegates Conference, despite all three losing their respective contests.
Dr Bin Salih endorsed former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko for National Chairman, former National Commission for Civic Education Chairman Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid for Vice National Chairman and former Upper West Regional Minister Dr Issahaku Tahiru Moomin for National Treasurer.
None of the three secured victory at the conference.
But in a post-conference message, Dr Bin Salih said the defeats had not changed his view of the candidates or diminished his commitment to the choices he made.
He said his endorsements were based on his assessment of their “track record, vision, and deep experience”, rather than an expectation that they were guaranteed to win.
“Conviction is not tested in the moments of easy victory; it is proven in how steadfastly we stand by our principles when the results fall short,” Dr Bin Salih said.
He insisted that he would not abandon candidates simply because delegates voted differently.
“True loyalty means standing with your candidates with head held high, proud of the choice made out of principle, long after the last ballot is counted,” he said.
From campaign choices to party unity
Despite backing candidates who lost, Dr Bin Salih has quickly moved to endorse the new NPP leadership, congratulating the successful candidates and pledging his support to the new executive team.
He singled out newly elected National Chairman John Boadu for particular praise, despite admitting that Mr Boadu was not his preferred candidate in the chairmanship contest.
“While you were not my initial preferred candidate in this contest, I want to state unequivocally that I do not doubt your capacity, competence, and readiness to lead our national executives,” Dr Bin Salih told Mr Boadu.
The former regional minister said his confidence in the new chairman was also based on their long working relationship within the NPP.
He recalled working with Mr Boadu when he served as Upper West Regional Youth Organiser while Mr Boadu was National Youth Organiser, and later as Regional Secretary when Mr Boadu served as General Secretary.
“Having worked closely with you over the years… I have witnessed your political acumen and dedication firsthand,” he said.
Dr Bin Salih said that experience had given him confidence in Mr Boadu’s ability to lead the party.
‘Our collective mission remains sacred’
He also congratulated the newly elected national executives, including First Vice-Chairman Kojo Fosu Boadu, Second Vice-Chairman Henry Nana Boakye, Third Vice-Chairman Nana Akomea, General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua, National Treasurer Alfred Kojo Thompson, National Organiser Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover and National Women Organiser Mavis Hawa Koomson.
Others he congratulated were National Youth Organiser Abanga Fuseini Yakubu, Nasara Coordinator Alhaji Mohammed Ali Suraj and National Communications Director Dennis Miracles Aboagye.
Dr Bin Salih said the outcome of the election should now give way to unity within the party.
“Individual preferences may differ before the vote, but our collective mission remains sacred,” he said.
He urged the new leadership to use its mandate to build a united and formidable party capable of returning the NPP to power in 2028.
Dr Bin Salih specifically pledged his support to the new executives despite currently holding no official position within the party.
“Although I do not currently hold an official office within the party, my commitment to the Elephant family remains steadfast,” he said.
He further pledged to work towards securing the presidency for NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and a decisive parliamentary majority in the 2028 elections.
‘I accept the delegates’ mandate’
Dr Bin Salih framed the outcome as a demonstration of the NPP’s internal democratic process and called on members to move beyond individual preferences after the vote.
“We fought with conviction; we accept the delegates’ mandate with grace, and we march forward as one family,” he said.
His post-conference position marks a clear shift from the competitive endorsement battles that preceded the national election, particularly in the Upper West Region, where prominent party figures openly backed different candidates for the chairmanship.
Dr Bin Salih had backed Mr Agyarko, while newly elected Upper West Regional Chairman Alhaji Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Rahman, popularly known as Chairman White, publicly threw the region’s support behind Mr Boadu.
With the national election now over, Dr Bin Salih says the contest must give way to a common objective: rebuilding the NPP’s political machinery and preparing for the 2028 elections.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
