NPP group calls for Bawumia’s withdrawal from flag bearer race

A pressure group calling itself Save NPP Now has called on former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to withdraw from the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer race, citing past remarks they say undermine his credibility.

At a press conference led by the group’s convenor, Kwesi Korang, members expressed disapproval over a statement Dr. Bawumia allegedly made during his 2024 campaign tour in the Northern Region.

According to the group, he told voters that “if Ghanaians voted for a Northerner in 2024, they would not vote for another Northerner in 2028.”

Mr. Korang argued that the pronouncement makes Dr. Bawumia unfit to represent the NPP going into the 2028 elections.

“This commentary will come back to haunt him. He knows very well that the party will lose with him as candidate, yet he presses on,” he said.

He further urged the former Vice President to be content with his political journey, stressing that the NPP has already given him unparalleled opportunities.

“Since 1992, Dr. Bawumia is the only person brought from outside and given a waiver for five years. He became running mate for eight years and Vice President for another eight years. Is that not enough?” he asked.

The convenor also drew parallels to the late Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, Dr. Bawumia’s father, whom he accused of betraying the United Party (UP) tradition decades ago.

“Don’t forget your father had a record of betrayal against this same UP tradition. Don’t leave a bad record for your children and grandchildren,” he warned.

Mr. Korang insisted that Dr. Bawumia should step aside in order to preserve party unity and safeguard the NPP’s electoral prospects.

“Be grateful to Allah and withdraw from the flagbearership race. Don’t be selfish. Think about the NPP, its future, and the country,” he appealed.

The group emphasized that continuing in the race would amount to what it described as paying back the NPP “with evil because of selfish people” surrounding Dr. Bawumia.

They cautioned him not to “waste the party’s time and energy” when, by his own admission, a Northerner succeeding another Northerner is unlikely in Ghana’s political landscape.

“Dr. Bawumia, don’t leave a negative legacy for your family and the party,” Mr. Korang stressed.