A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Team, Kofi Tonto, has justified the decision by the party’s 2024 presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to concede early defeat in the last general elections.

In a Facebook post on October 15, 2025, Tonto said the move was not a sign of weakness but a deliberate act to preserve national peace and protect Ghana’s democratic stability.

“The decision to concede defeat early, in the face of real evidence, was an act for peace and the forward march of our fragile democracy. Ghana mattered more than anyone, whether an individual or a group,” he stated.

Mahama wins 2024 elections as Bawumia concedes defeat

He argued that refusing to concede without clear justification would have amounted to political recklessness.

“The recalcitrant stance is borne out of sheer disregard for Ghanaians. If not, provide evidence on how a later concession would have significantly increased our seats in Parliament. Let’s be humble and stop the patapaa,” he indicated.

Tonto’s comments come amid a recent remark by NPP flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Agyapong, who criticised the notion of conceding defeat before the Electoral Commission (EC) had announced official results.

During his campaign tour in the Savannah Region, Kennedy insisted that if he were the presidential candidate, he would never concede until the EC had declared the final constituency results.

“Until the last constituency results are declared, if I am a presidential candidate, I will never accept defeat. I will never accept defeat until the Electoral Commission comes out to declare,” Agyapong said.

How I rejected advice not to concede defeat early - Bawumia

He also urged party delegates to elect bold and principled leaders who would stand firm in defending the people’s will.

MRA/AE

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