General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, has downplayed suggestions that the party’s defeat in the Akwatia by-election signals what to expect in the 2028 general elections.
In an interview with Accra-based Adom FM on Wednesday, Kodua explained that electoral contests are naturally unpredictable and that losses are part of the democratic process. He emphasized that Akwatia has historically been a swing constituency, with outcomes often decided by narrow margins.
“Every election comes with two possibilities — you either win or lose. Akwatia has always been competitive, and the margin of victory is usually small, regardless of which party wins,” he noted.
Kodua said the NPP entered the by-election fully aware of the challenges it faced, especially following the death of their MP, Ernest Kumi.
He observed that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) effectively campaigned on a development agenda, urging voters to support them based on promises of progress — a message he admitted resonated with some parts of the constituency.
Nonetheless, Kodua highlighted that the 15,235 votes secured by the NPP’s candidate, Kwame Asumadu, demonstrated the party’s strong presence in the area.
“We performed well. The 15,000-plus votes we secured prove that the NPP is still very strong in Akwatia. I’m proud of our candidate’s efforts and the dedication shown by our party members,” he stated.
He thanked the party’s constituency executives, supporters, and national figures who campaigned in the by-election, while also expressing gratitude for the peaceful conduct of the vote.
“This defeat will not discourage us. I thank God for a peaceful election, and I appreciate the hard work of our candidate and all party stakeholders,” Kodua added.
Reaffirming his earlier point, Kodua stressed that the outcome of this by-election should not be seen as a forecast for the 2028 general elections.
“This does not define 2028. We knew this race would be tough after the unfortunate loss of our MP, but the NPP has proven that it still holds significant ground in Akwatia,” he emphasized.
The Electoral Commission’s official results showed Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the NDC winning the seat with 18,199 votes, while the NPP’s Kwame Asumadu polled 15,235 votes.
, Justin Frimpong Kodua, has downplayed suggestions that the party’s defeat in the Akwatia by-election signals what to expect in the 2028 general elections.){kind=link}