Vice President Dr. Bawumia
In an exciting development within the political landscape of the country, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has embarked on a nationwide tour, consulting and engaging with the party’s 16 Regional Executive Committees ahead of the NPP’s presidential primaries.
This move is widely seen as an attempt to garner support and gather momentum as he prepares to declare his intention to contest the presidential primaries of the party.
The Vice President, according to credible sources, will make official declaration about his intention to lead the governing party next week before the party open nominations for the flagbearership contest on May 26, 2023.
As Dr. Bawumia travels across the country, he has been shaking the NPP foundation to its core with his impressive communication skills and statesmanship, convincing delegates that he should be entrusted with the mandate to ‘break the eight’.
He has also sought the blessings of both President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former President John Agyekum Kufuor, which is seen as a significant endorsement of his potential candidacy.
Information gathered by DAILY GUIDE indicates that Dr. Bawumia met President Akufo-Addo and President Kufuor separately sometime in April with a high powered delegation comprising of Wulugu Naaba, Naa Professor John Nabila Sebiyam, former President of the National House of Chiefs, the former Accra Mayor and now member of the Council of State, Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson, Madam Ama Bame Busia, a former member of the Council of State, Nana Otuo Serebour, Omanhene of Juaben State and Chairman of the Council of State, National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, The Right Revd Daniel Sylvanus Mensah Torto, Archbishop of the Anglican Church amongst other dignitaries.
Per our sources, both the current and former leaders expressed satisfaction at the depth of the presidential hopeful and his contribution to the party and wished him well.
Dr. Bawumia, who is considered the lead contender for the flagbearer position, also met the National Council of Elders of the party last Thursday to inform them of his intentions to contest the party’s leadership when nominations open and to seek their blessings.
He has also successfully completed his consultations with the 16 Regional Executive committees of the party, which includes all Regional Executives, Constituency Chairpersons, Members of the various Regional Council of Elders and Patrons of the Party and also MMDCEs.
Dr. Bawumia’s campaign vehicles, six in all, adorned with NPP colours, have been spotted in town, and billboards featuring his image are expected to be erected soon.
Sources say there are a lot of volunteers waiting in the wings to join the campaign.
Although Dr. Bawumia has not publicly declared his candidacy, his campaign posters are already circulating on social media.
The Vice President, who is set to declare his intention to contest the party’s primaries in the coming days, recently told the Majority caucus of Parliament of his intention to contest the NPP presidential primary in November this year.
The meeting, which was held on May 2, 2023, saw majority of the NPP Members of Parliament (MPs) endorsing the move by the Vice President.
As the excitement and anticipation surrounding Dr. Bawumia’s potential candidacy grows, it seems that his competitors within the party are beginning to feel jittery, churning out fake news about the Vice President. Other aspirants are reportedly concerned about Bawumia’s growing popularity and are scrambling to find ways to compete him.
Many within the NPP see Bawumia as a strong contender for the party’s presidential nomination, given his impressive track record of public service and his popularity within the party’s base.
However, the competition is sure to be fierce, and the coming months will be filled with political maneuvering and intense campaigning as the various aspirants jostle for position.
As Ghana moves closer to its next election cycle, all eyes are on the NPP as it prepares to select its presidential nominee.
The coming weeks and months are sure to be filled with exciting developments within the party, and the nation as a whole will be watching closely as events unfold.
So far, nine aspirants which include Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, former Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central in the Central Region and Francis Addai-Nimoh, a former MP for Mampong.
The rest were Joe Ghartey, MP for Essikado-Ketan Constituency in the Western Region, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, former General Secretary of NPP, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, former Minister of Regional Integration and NEPAD and Boakye Agyarko, former Minister of Energy.
Nominations for the party’s parliamentary primaries will be accepted between December 20, 2023 and January 4, 2024, and the nomination period for the presidential primary will begin on May 26 and end on June 24, 2023.
Dr. Bawumia is considered by many as the favourite to succeed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2024 but must beat off competition from three-time runner Mr. Kyerematen who resigned in January this year to focus on his presidential ambition.
The NPP, on November 4, 2023, will elect a presidential candidate for the 2024 elections and already nine aspirants have declared their intentions to lead the party and has also announced that parliamentary primary will be held in February 2024.
By Vincent Kubi