In a show of massive support, prominent personalities in the Eastern Region New Patriotic Party (NPP) have publicly endorsed Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s bid to become the flagbearer of the governing party for the 2024 general election.
The NPP gurus comprising almost all the lawmakers and constituency chairmen have described Dr. Bawumia as a man with unwavering loyalty to the party, unblemished character, exceptional competence, high leadership qualities and a hardworking personality both in opposition and in government who can lead the party to win next year’s presidential election.
Each endorsement was met with resounding approval from the delegates across all the constituencies in the Eastern Region, further entrenching the support for Dr. Bawumia in the governing party.
The MPs who gleefully endorsed the Vice President’s presidential bid include Dan Botwe, Okere; O. B. Amoah, Akuapem South; Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Ofoase-Ayirebi; Bryan Acheampong, Abetifi; and Kwasi Amoako-Atta, Atiwa West.
Others are Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Nsawam/Adoagyiri; Samuel Atta Akyea, Abuakwa South; Kennedy Osei Nyarko, Akim Swedru; Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo, Achiase; John Osei Frempong, Abirem; Joseph Frempong, Nkawkaw; George Kwame Aboagye, Asene/Manso/Akroso; and Alexander Akwasi Acquah, Akim Oda.
Massive endorsements
MP for Okere Dan Botwe broke his silence on the presidential race, informing NPP delegates why the Vice President should be overwhelmingly chosen to lead the party for the 2024 crucial polls.
“Since we started this flagbearership campaign, I have not spoken. But today I will speak. I was elected General Secretary of the NPP 25 years ago. I have had experience working under several stalwarts of the Party. I know the NPP very well. I know very well all the 10 people contesting. But I am here at Okere saying this. That anyone who knows me know that I speak the truth and you cannot influence me with anything. I love all the aspirants, but I love the NPP more. My friends in the NPP, if we look at what is happening in Ghana and NPP now, we are looking into the future.
“Based on my knowledge of the Party and judging from what is happening, I want to say and ask all of you to go and vote for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. We have to be very strategic as a party in order to win 2024. And the best strategic decision is to elect Vice president Bawumia as our flagbearer,” he declared.
Akuapem South MP Mr. O. B. Amoah also echoed the wishes of the NPP faithful.
“You the NPP grassroots are sending those of us who are part of the super delegates to Koforidua to choose the five candidates who will contest in the primaries in November 2023 and ultimately to elect the one who will be our presidential candidate.
“When I take a look at the energy, the excitement and the enthusiasm you are displaying here, it is clear that you the NPP grassroots are sending those of us who are part of the super delegates to select the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, that is the clear message you have given to us.
“We will also not disappoint you, so on 26th August, you will hear that it is not only Akuapem South MP and Chairman who have voted for Bawumia but the whole of Ghana chose him,” Mr. O. B. Amoah declared.
On his part, MP for Ofoase-Ayirebi Kojo Oppong Nkrumah recalled that, “When we needed men to defend our party, Dr. Bawumia made himself available and committed himself to it. If today we need a man to lead our party to battle, who should it be? It should be Dr. Bawumia. This month, I and our Chairman will go and vote for him and in November, Ofoase Ayirebi delegates will also have the opportunity to vote for him massively to show gratitude for what Dr. Bawumia has done for the party and Ofoase Ayirebi.”
Another party stalwart and MP for Abetifi Mr. Bryan Acheampong, declared, “Here in Abetifi, it is not for me to tell you what to do. As our chairman has said, he will take me to Koforidua to go and vote for Dr. Bawumia. Chairman has his ears on the ground; he has listened to our delegates and he knows their choice”.
Also reiterating the unquestionable loyalty of the Vice President, Abuakwa South MP Samuel Atta Akyea noted that, “Dr. Bawumia has worked so hard for the NPP and contributed so much to the Government of President Akufo-Addo.
“The day I had so much respect for Dr. Bawumia and I was convinced God has blessed him was when he stood in the box alone and defended the NPP at the Supreme Court. I am a Lawyer and I know it is not easy to be in the dock, let alone a high profile case like the presidential election petition.
“I have 5 very good friends among the 10 people contesting, but the truth is that Dr. Bawumia is most deserving and the best to lead us to victory.
So Abuakwa South will vote for Dr. Bawumia massively, just as we did for Nana Akufo-Addo”.
Akim Swedru MP Kennedy Osei Nyarko concluded the endorsement, pointing out that, “Our elders say, the one who knows how to fight, is the one you place in front at the battlefield. Dr. Bawumia is brave, knowledgeable, unifier and very peaceful. As our Chairman has said, you say you like Dr. Bawumia and we will give you Dr. Bawumia,” he added.
Campaign tour
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia since announcing his decision to contest for the presidential candidate slot of the NPP, has been on a tour of the country to meet with NPP delegates in all 275 constituencies in the country.
His campaign has thus far taken him to all 34 constituencies in the Greater Accra Region, and all 47 constituencies in the Ashanti Region.
He has also visited all 17 constituencies in the Western Region as well as the 23 constituencies in the Central Region.
Dr Bawumia will end his tour of the 33 constituencies in the Eastern Region today.
After the Eastern Region tour, he would have completed visits to 154 constituencies out of the 275 across the country.
With the backing of all the key personalities in all the constituencies, Vice President Bawumia’s aim of becoming the NPP flagbearer, according to political pundits, will be achieved.