Events in the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is taking an interesting turn for the Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, as elements jostling to succeed President Akufo-Addo, are mounting a religious and tribal campaign against his candidature.
According to the Herald Newspaper, they have picked up reports that, some Christian groups in the NPP, are insisting that the Vice-President, cannot succeed his boss, because Ghana is not ripe to have a Muslim as President, and they have vowed to resist him when the time comes.
But those who have gotten wind of the plot against Dr. Bawumia, described the development as unfortunate for a man who has been part of NPP since 2008, after reluctantly leaving his job at the Bank of Ghana (BoG) as Deputy Governor to Paul Acquah.
The Herald, also reports that, there is a group of Christian clergymen in the NPP, who are strongly opposed to the Bawumia ticket for 2024, and this has been of concern to the neutrals in the party.
The neutrals, feel that the development does not bode well for the unity of the party.
They are worried because a rejection of Dr. Bawumia, will reinforce the negative perception that the NPP is an Akan party and no other tribe can lead it.
They cited how the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama, did eight years under John Agyekum Kufuor as his Vice-President, but interestingly, President Kufuor, ditched him for Alan Kyerematen, half Ashanti and half Fante, as his successor, leaving Aliu Mahama to die a miserable man.
They mentioned what is become a succession plan in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), where a Vice-President succeeds his boss.
The late Jerry John Rawlings, got John Evans Atta Mills to succeed him with John Mahama taking over from Mills when he died.
Mr Mahama, has remained at the helm of affairs since 2013, and likely to lead the NDC again in the 2024 General Election as its flagbearer.
Many feel, a rejection of Bawumia, who has been marketed by the party as an economic wizard among others, will strengthen the “Akan only” party tag of the NPP.
This negative perception they believe, will spark fury among other groups in the NPP, and cause it to be rejected in the five northern regions.
They also fear a rippling effect among other ethnic groups considered to be in the minority in NPP.
Source: The Herald
