Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, defended Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s visits to churches despite being a Muslim.
In an interview with GHOne TV on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, Sheikh Shaibu characterized the Vice President’s participation in church activities and interactions with Christians as a strategic political maneuver.
He emphasized that Dr. Bawumia recognizes the electoral landscape in Ghana, where he needs broader support beyond the Muslim community to secure victory in the upcoming December 7, 2024, election.
Sheikh Shaibu pointed out that similar cross-community engagements are common among politicians of different faiths seeking broader voter support, suggesting that such actions are part of the political process and should be accepted as such.
“He (Dr. Bawumia) is employing political tactics. Dr. Bawumia knows that even if all Muslims in this country vote for him, he cannot win the election. True or false? True. So politically, it doesn’t make sense to be on one side,” he said.
“So, he’s engaging in politics, and people must view him from the angle of his political strategy to be able to get the vote from every corner. And like all politicians do, they come to Muslims, and some of them will come to the Chief Imam and request prayers from him,” he said.
The Chief Imam’s spokesperson also indicated that there is nothing wrong with pastors praying for the Vice President.
“Chief Imam lays hands on politicians. He lays his hands on politicians, and it’s in the pictures; people know. When I meet the Chief Imam and Muslim and Christian politicians, they squat and give their heads to him to hold and pray. It is because of how they see him, but it doesn’t make them less Christian,” he noted.