Bawumia recalls how late former Savelugu MP prayed for him from hospital bed in Tamale

Former Vice-President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has recounted how the late former Savelugu Member of Parliament (MP), Somed Gunu, prayed for him during a visit to the Tamale Teaching Hospital shortly before his death.

Dr Bawumia said the experience deeply affected him, particularly because he had expected to be the one offering prayers for the ailing MP.

“The late Somed Gunu was my junior brother, and his death has really hurt me. When I visited him at Tamale Teaching Hospital while he was on his sickbed, he was praying for me. Instead, I should have been the one praying for him,” he said.

Speaking at the one-week Islamic Adua for the late MP, Dr Bawumia described him as a patient and compassionate person who was committed to the development of the Savelugu Constituency.

He said Mr Gunu had demonstrated his commitment to the constituency even before becoming its MP, supporting initiatives in health, education and water.

“He loved the Savelugu constituency so much. He was concerned about its development,” he said.

Dr Bawumia noted that Mr Gunu made history by becoming the first NPP parliamentary candidate to win the Savelugu seat since 1992, securing the constituency for the party in the 2016 election.

He also praised the late MP for his contribution to the NPP's retention of the seat in the 2024 parliamentary election despite not being the party's candidate.

Dr Bawumia said he had contacted Mr Gunu after he lost the party's parliamentary primary and appealed to him to support Fatahiya, the NPP's candidate, to retain the seat.

“When he did not win the elections, it really affected the party. I called him and asked him to help our sister Fatahiya win the Savelugu seat for the party. He listened to me and campaigned, and we won the 2024 parliamentary election,” he said.

The NPP flagbearer further disclosed that he had promised Mr Gunu a role in his government if he became President.

Dr Bawumia told the bereaved family that he remained committed to fulfilling that promise, adding that members of the family who were qualified would have opportunities to serve.

“When I’m elected president, I will fulfil the promise,” he said.