The Founder of the Mindset, Integrity, Loyalty, Leadership and Service (MILLS) Institute, Koku Anyidoho, has drawn striking parallels between former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and the late former President Professor John Evans Atta Mills.

According to him, he believes that the political trajectory of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer closely mirrors that of the late statesman.

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In what appears to be a reflective commentary on February 1, 2026, Anyidoho recalled how Professor Atta Mills entered national politics as vice president under former President Jerry John Rawlings, stressing that loyalty to one’s political leader should never be mistaken for weakness.

“When Professor John Evans Atta Mills burst onto the political scene as vice president, he had no option but to be loyal to President JJ Rawlings. Being loyal did not mean he did not have his own mettle… People misconstrued the humility and loyalty to mean weakness - some labeled him a 'poodle,'” he said.

Anyidoho explained that internal party resistance also followed Atta Mills when Rawlings endorsed him to lead the NDC into the 2000 elections, adding that Atta Mills’ defeat was not a rejection by the electorate.

“Some people within the NDC were obviously not happy when President Rawlings endorsed Vice President Atta Mills to lead the NDC into the 2000 elections because they said he was an 'outsider.' Candidate Atta Mills lost that election, not because he was rejected, but because he was seen to be in the shadow of President Rawlings,” he stated.

He further noted that the late president eventually carved out his own political identity, which endeared him to Ghanaians.

“Fast forward, Professor Atta Mills established his own identity (humbly, I was an integral part of that identity creation), and Ghanaians warmed up to him; his message of 'Asomdwe,' humility, love for God and Country, made it possible for Ghanaians to make him president - he lived beyond expectation,” Anyidoho shared.

Drawing a direct comparison to Dr Bawumia, the former NDC official asked whether history was repeating itself, suggesting that political history often follows familiar patterns.

“Does DMB’s story not follow the same script; picked by Nana Addo; becomes Vice; remains loyal to his boss; served in humility; endorsed by his boss to lead the NPP; considered to be an 'outsider'; lost an election; his party elects him as leader again; now has his own identity… History has a very interesting way of repeating itself,” he concluded.

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His comments follow the election of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia by party delegates as the flagbearer of the NPP ahead of the 2028 general elections.

Dr Bawumia secured an overwhelming number of votes, surpassing contenders such as Kennedy Agyapong, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Dr Bryan Acheampong, and Kwabena Agyepong.

When Professor John Evans Atta-Mills burst onto the political scene as Vice President, he had no option but to be loyal to President JJ Rawlings.

Being loyal did not mean he did not have his own mettle: being loyal to your boss (who out of the goodness of his heart picked you… pic.twitter.com/N4XfmVAF6X

— Samuel Koku Anyidoho🇬🇭 (@KokuAnyidoho) February 1, 2026