NPP Wild Over Bawumia
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has put behind the rancour that greeted the naming of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the running mate to the flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as members rally behind Nana's choice.
At the close of the party's annual delegates' conference at Sekondi in the Western Region yesterday, Dr Bawumia received a standing ovation when he made his maiden speech, touching on his contributions to the success of the NPP government and what he was bringing to the ticket.
According to the running mate, whose selection was earlier received with mixed feelings, he might not have identified himself openly with the NPP, but there were those who knew his contributions to the political and economic achievements of the ruling party.
Dr Bawumia, a deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana held delegates spellbound when he enumerated his contributions to the government, with occasional nodding of heads by party gurus including the President, John Agyekum Kufuor.
He sent delegates into a frenzy with his impeccable delivery complemented by few comments from his better-half, Samira, daughter of People's National Convention (PNC) National Chairman, Ahmed Ramadan.
An economist and banker of international repute, the vice presidential candidate said in assuring the party that “I have made my modest contributions to the party behind the scenes”.
Dr Bawumia, 45, was endorsed by the NPP National Executive Committee (NEC) on Thursday, amidst disapproval by some members.
However, all party members resolved on Sunday to back their running mate after listening to his achievements and contributions.
Explaining the rationale behind his choice, Nana Akufo-Addo said he had kept close tabs on the meteoric rise of the deputy Governor, with a conviction that his selection would complete the NPP ticket and bring victory to the party.
Dr Bawumia, the flagbearer noted, would bring good fortunes to the party, pointing out that he was a great asset.
Nana Addo conceded that he went through some difficulties before arriving at the decision, assuring the teeming party supporters and members that his choice was in the collective interest of the party.
According to him, he was mindful of the responsibility placed on him as the flagbearer and would not do anything to undermine the trust.
“Whatever I do, it is in the interest of our party”, he stressed.
Building a cohesive country, he said, also informed his choice of Dr Bawumia, since he was a northern Muslim with strong connection to the United Party (UP) tradition.
He described Dr Bawumia as an achiever and hard worker whose expertise fit into his dream of building a prosperous country.
“He will be an asset to the party, to the government and to me personally as the leader and presidential candidate of our party,” he stated.
Nana Addo pointed out that all the ministers, including Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Finance and Economic Planning Minister and his predecessor, Yaw Osafo Maafo; Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, a Minister of State; Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister of the Interior who had worked with the deputy Governor, gave eloquent testimonies about the running mate.
Also testifying, Vice President Aliu Mahama said Dr Bawumia comes from a strong family that had carved a niche for itself.
The running mate's father, the late Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, was a Council of State chairman and a veteran politician, he indicated.
Alhaji Mahama stated that Nana Addo would not regret picking the young Bawumia, whose father had been a household name.
“He is handsome and humble. Nana will not regret picking this great person,” he stressed.
Bawumia's father was a Mamprugu from Walewale and a traditional ruler with strong support base in the area. “Bawumia is Mamprugu and Mamprugu is Bawumia”, the Vice President said.
He asked the party to give their support to the presidential ticket.
Dr Bawumia described the ticket as the best team to move Ghana forward, appealing to the youth to support it.
The coming election, he said, was about the future and the future was for the youth.
He expressed his conviction that the party would triumph at the polls, pointing out that his selection signalled that hope.
“My selection is about victory for the party”, he said.
Dr Bawumia said he had spoken to all the running mate hopefuls since he got the nod last Thursday, asking them to put the past behind and join hands together to deliver one touch victory to the NPP.
His loyalty to the party and the flagbearer, according to him, was unshakable, promising to show commitment to the liberal democratic tenets of the party.
He said he was not a stranger in their midst but rather one of them who had worked tirelessly for the success of the party in government.
The running mate promised to provide the critical support needed to secure a renewal of mandate for the party.
He assured party supporters of an open door policy especially now that he had put on a partisan garb.
“My doors are open and I am looking forward to developing personal friendship with you,” he said, adding that his selection was a call to service.
From Fortune Alimi, Sekondi