Bawumia should've gone by his word, show some credibility by joining the national clean-up exercise — Hamza Suhuyini
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team, Hamza Suhuyini, has called on the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2028 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to participate in the ongoing National General Clean-up Exercise, saying his involvement would underscore the initiative's non-partisan nature.
The nationwide exercise, launched by President John Dramani Mahama in the wake of the recent floods that claimed lives, displaced residents and damaged property, is aimed at improving sanitation, clearing choked drains and reducing the risk of future flooding and disease outbreaks.
The two-day exercise, which began on Friday, July 10, and continued on Saturday, July 11, saw President Mahama, government officials, security personnel and members of the public undertake clean-up activities in affected communities across the country.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Saturday, Mr. Suhuyini said it would have been commendable to see Dr. Bawumia actively participate in the exercise.
“It was intended to be a national exercise, national in character, devoid of partisanship,” he said.
Mr. Suhuyini recalled that Dr. Bawumia had previously described the clean-up campaign as a national undertaking that should not be politicised, arguing that his participation would have reinforced that position.
“How beautiful it should have been, especially this morning, to see that even he, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, had also joined a community in line with that national call for patriotism, cleaning. It should have been beautiful,” he stated.
He added, “I know His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama would have done that. It should have been beautiful and would have given some credence to that call.”
Mr. Suhuyini stressed that his remarks were not intended as criticism of the former Vice President, noting that Dr. Bawumia had visited some of the communities affected by the floods.
“It is not to criticise him. I’m just saying, if politicians are to go by their words and exhibit some level of integrity and credibility, it would have been nice, beautiful, to actually see that beyond the optics, we have our political leaders out there actually joining the process,” he said.
According to him, the active involvement of political leaders in community clean-up efforts would have encouraged greater public participation.
“How beautifully exciting and inspiring to see His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, beyond the rhetoric of it being a national concern, also joining the bandwagon,” he remarked.
Mr. Suhuyini, however, acknowledged that the NPP’s internal elections held on Saturday may have occupied Dr. Bawumia’s schedule.
“But I’m told that the NPP is actually engaging in its internal primaries today… perhaps that has taken his attention,” he said.