MP for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul,
A fresh wave of controversy has engulfed the internal race for the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s upcoming presidential primaries, after remarks made by former Defence Minister and MP for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul, during a meeting with delegates in the Northern Region in 2023 resurfaced.
The former Defence Minister’s comment has ignited a fresh controversy within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries after making remarks widely condemned as ethnic incitement while campaigning for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the Northern Region.
During a meeting with Kokomba delegates in his constituency, Mr. Nitiwul reportedly urged Kokombas across several key Northern constituencies—including Yendi, Wulensi, Bimbilla, and Tatale—to vote “en bloc” for Dr. Bawumia, repeatedly appealing to their tribal identity.
“Vote for Your Northern Brother”
According to reports and circulating video evidence, Mr Nitiwul explicitly encouraged delegates to support Dr. Bawumia because, in his words, the Vice President “is the one who likes Kokombas.”
He starkly contrasted this position with a direct attack on fellow contender, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong,claiming that the Assin Central MP “doesnot like Kokombas.” To back his claim, Mr Nitiwul citedthe comparatively lowturnout of Kokomba people during Agyapong’svisitto Yendi.
Furthermore, he asserted that despite having served with Agyapong in Parliament, he “knows Kennedy Agyapong’s character” and advised delegates not to trust him with their votes.
The Bimbilla MP repeatedly urged the Kokomba community not to “disgrace” their “northern brother” by supporting any other candidate, suggesting that many Kokomba constituencies had already resolved to vote massively for Dr. Bawumia.
Anger
The remarks which have resurfaced online have sparked intense criticism and anger across the party, with many describing the comments as reckless and unnecessary.
Party insiders and political analysts have expressed deep concern, arguing that such tribal messaging divides the party and contradicts the NPP’s official stance against tribal politics. Critics warn that while the party leadership often condemns ethnic appeals in the south, the open exploitation of tribal sentiment in the north is a worrying double standard that risks damaging grassroots unity.
According to reports from GhanaWeb, many party members are calling for immediate intervention from the NPP leadership to address the escalating situation.
Caution
Observers caution that if such rhetoric is left unchecked, it risks damaging relationships in key constituencies and shifting the focus away from vital issues of competence and policy ahead of the crucial January 2026 primary election.
