Relying on a solid Akufo-Addo/Bawumia legacy while campaigning against Bawumia

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) insists it should be given a third term mandate in 2024 based on the performance of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia; yet, the same party has some leading elements campaigning against the same Dr. Bawumia’s ambition to be elected the 2024 presidential candidate.

If indeed the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia combination has done exceptionally well in government, why then campaign against the ‘Bawumia bit’? Could it be sheer party politics and its unavoidable protocols? Could it be just to satisfy someone’s sense of entitlement because he deems himself a senior who had queued for years? Or could it be that perhaps, the name ‘BAWUMIA’ is simply not fit to lead the NPP even though the party insists the bearer of that name has proven to be a competent leader and an attractive political commodity?

A political commodity that increased the attractiveness of the NPP attractive to the Northern parts of the country, an attractive political commodity that has focused on a campaign of issues rather than a campaign of insults and an attractive political commodity that has become a symbol of peaceful religious coexistence, tolerance and unity.

Whatever the reasons may be, it is politically incorrect to campaign for 2024 citing and relying on the achievements of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia regime yet in that same campaign, tell Ghanaians Bawumia is not the best person to continue the said legacy the NPP is relying on to convince Ghanaians for a third term mandate.

If the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia regime has truly done well, then let the man who is already behind the wheel continue the drive. If on the other hand, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia regime has not done well then Dr. Bawumia has no business wanting to be flag-bearer and not only should he be voted against, but the party itself should bow out and let another political party take over.
It is a simple matter.

If the argument is that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia regime has done well but Dr. Bawumia should be dropped and a new captain brought in, it means there was a problem with the performance of the leadership of the two.

If the argument is that there was no problem with the performance of the leadership of the two but Bawumia should be dropped at all cost, then such a scenario sparks all manner of suspicions, speculations and feeds into some negative perceptions which do not merit being republished in cold print.

Imagine for a moment, if it was Dr. Bawumia who, God forbid, had said that he would destroy the party if he does not win the primaries. Some make such divisive comments and get away with it.

For many, Dr. Bawumia represents hope in the NPP. Hope for the overwhelming majority who do not have an uncle or a family relation as a founding father of the party. Dr. Bawumia as flag-bearer would become a living testimony that the NPP is a party for all and therefore any Ghanaian can, work hard and play his or her role well, rise to the top and be given an opportunity to lead in service at the very top and not just as a second fiddle.

It is a second but crucial opportunity for the NPP to prove to its critics that it is not a political party that has its leadership positions reserved for only persons from a particular part of the country.

Dr. Bawumia as Vice President cannot be delinked from the achievements of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia regime and if truly the party insists that regime has done well, it should give this same Bawumia a chance to continue the good works the party is pointing to.