The Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has addressed former President John Mahama’s doubts about the leadership potential of a northerner within the NPP.
Speaking to the people of Jirapa during his constituency-focused tour, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia mentioned that when he decided to contest for the flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party, many people, including former President John Mahama, said it would not happen.
They said the NPP will not elect a northern to be their leader. But I told them that if God says it is possible, it will be possible. So I went for the contest and by the grace of God, I am the leader of the NPP.
This assertion was based on the perception that the NPP is an Akan-based party, primarily rooted in the Ashanti Region, and that northerners were better suited for the vice-presidential role rather than as presidential candidates. Mahama had previously cited former NPP Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama as an example.
However, during the NPP presidential race, Dr. Bawumia emerged victorious against contenders like Ken Agyapong, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai-Nimoh, securing 61.43% of the total valid votes cast.
Dr. Bawumia also reminded the people of Jirapa of Mahama’s earlier comments regarding the NPP’s electoral strategy in the north and urged the people of the north to vote for him.
You will recall, some time ago, former President Mahama said that if the NPP wants the North to vote for them, they should elect Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. So today, the NPP has elected Dr. Bawumia. This is now the time to vote for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
