Akilu Sayibu
19 August 2008
opinion
When Mahamadu Bawumia was confirmed by the National Executive Committee of the NPP as Nana Akufo-Addo's, running mate for the December election, not all party people were happy.
The primary reason was that, 'He is unknown within the party'. The reaction of the activists of the NPP almost went out of gear with some of them threatening to vote 'skirt and blouse'.
Some categorically condemned the National Executive Committee of the NPP and the presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo for giving the position of vice presidential candidate to somebody who according to them was unknown within their party circles.
I must admit that, I initially was also not enthused with Bawumia's intended 'marriage' with Nana Akufo-Addo when just 48hours to the National Executive Committee meeting his name flooded the media. I must admit that, Bawumia is an achiever academically, but as to whether he will make a good politician is another thing and that was the reason for my initial rejection of that idea.
I personally phoned some of the members of the national executive committee to tell me why they thought Bawumia was the very best to partner Nana and I must say I was convinced by the reasons they gave for settling on him.
After listening to them, I am now convinced that he is the best thing that can happen to the NPP at this time. I am sure in the coming weeks the peeved members of the NPP will come to terms with Nana Addo's choice and continue with their ever growing support for the NPP.
I am so very happy that, since the name of Bawumia came up no party has come out to say he was their member. When Ibn Chamba' name appeared somewhere in the media that Nana wanted to ran with him, some members of the NDC in Tamale immediately issued a statement to the effect that, Chambas was still in their party.
In Bawumia's case we have not heard such a claim or protest from anywhere to the effect that he was and still a member of their party.
To those whose conclusions are that, because his late dad was a member of the National Democratic Congress then he is also likely to have his sympathies with the NDC, I say a big No to that!
Let us not forget so soon that, while the late Speaker of Parliament, The Rt. Hon. Ala Adjettey was a core member of the New Patriotic Party, his son, Larry Adjettey was and still a core member of the NDC.
My advise to the dissatisfied members of the NPP is that, 'They should not be afraid of a day that has not yet come' (A Chinese Proverb). And to Bawumia, he should make it a goal to prove to all in NPP that, his doors and windows will be open to all and sundry.
The truth is that, Nana Addo has made his choice; the National Executive Committee has given their approval to it. The party conference in Sekondi-Takoradi has authorised. The next thing is to intensify the campaign.
I don't care so very much about the propaganda that, Bawumia is not politically popular; my reason is that, his name or picture will not appear on any ballot paper come December, so let us be patient.
As for the economy who better than Bawumia to handle it? He certainly is full of wide economic ideas that he can bring to turn the economy around should the NPP win the elections in December.
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