New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, expressed gratitude to Christians within the party for electing him as the first Muslim flagbearer during an Iftar event at the Suhum Ayekotse Central Mosque.
At the event, attended by Imams, Chiefs, and constituents from the Suhum Constituency on Saturday, March 30, 2024, Dr. Bawumia reflected on his journey within the NPP.
He emphasised the significance of his victory in securing the party’s flagbearer position despite initial doubts about a Muslim leading the party.
Dr. Bawumia credited his success to divine intervention, highlighting the overwhelming support he received from Christian members within the party.
“During the presidential primary, they said a Muslim could not lead the NPP. But by the grace of God, after the voting, out of the 10 candidates, I secured an unprecedented 61% which signifies the hand of God in the victory because when you look at NPP, Christians are more than Muslims in the party so it means it is the Christians who elected Dr Bawumia a Muslim, as flagbear for the NPP for the first time; it has not happened before,” said Dr. Bawumia.
Dr. Bawumia also made a bold declaration to the Muslim community, promising to bring the Qur’an to Jubilee House, Ghana’s seat of government, if elected as President.
He said, “after December 7th, I will take the Qur’an and pray and take it to the Jubilee house. It is possible.”
Vice President Dr. Bawumia expressed his ambition for the forthcoming presidential election, stating his intention to serve two terms as president. He contrasted his potential eight-year tenure with Mahama’s remaining four-year presidency.
“Mahama has only four years but I will have eight years. Do we want four years or eight years? That is why I want him to be patient so that I take the vehicle and drive. Now I am a mate”.
Dr. Mamudu Bawumia urged for peaceful proceedings and highlighted his competition with former President Mahama, urging him to step aside and allow him the opportunity to lead the nation.
“So we are going into an election; everything must be peaceful. I am contesting this election with my brother, the former President Mahama [Flagbearer of NDC] who has been President before, reason I have been telling him to stay back so that I also clinch the presidency because I have not been President before. We know what he did he should also give me a chance to be president to also exhibit what I can do.”
Dr. Bawumia’s statement stands in contrast to that of Alan Kyerematen, an independent presidential aspirant, who also made a plea to voters by asserting that Ghana, being predominantly Christian, should elect a Christian leader in the upcoming 2024 elections.
Kyerematen delivered his message at the Church of Pentecost’s Easter Sunday Convention, presenting himself as the candidate capable of bringing about transformative change for the nation.
“As a predominantly Christian nation, as Christians, it is our responsibility that we elect a Christian leader who is also a Christlike leader.”
He emphasized the importance of electing a leader who aligns with Christian principles, portraying himself as the embodiment of such values.