Sebastian R. Freiku
27 August 2008
Sekyedumase — A FORMER New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary aspirant for the Ejura-Sekyedumasi Constituency, Sheikh M. Mahmoud, has said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would win the election in the first round of elections in December.
His conviction comes from the choice of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), as running mate to Nana Akufo-Addo, for the December presidential election. According to him, the choice of Dr. Bawumia, was a testimony of the party's respect for ethnic and religious balance.
He, therefore, commended Nana Akufo-Addo for the selection, and said from all indications the NPP was on the move to victory, because the party had gained a lot of confidence within the Zongos, due to the nomination of the Deputy Governor.
Interacting with journalists at Sekyedumase over the weekend, Sheikh Mahmoud said initial investigations by his team of researchers in the Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and Eastern regions, point to just that.
"Muslims are now convinced that it is only the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition, represented by the NPP, that has high recognition for the Islamic religion," he said, adding that, "In the name of Allah, the Gracious and Merciful, Nana Addo would win one touch."
Sheikh Mahmoud, referring to the Central bank official as "my brother", said the selection of Dr. Bawumia had vindicated what he (Sheikh Mahmoud) was quoted by the Daily Graphic of May 29, 2007 as saying, "a Muslim and a true Zongo boy would be the NPP presidential running mate." Sheikh Mahmoud, accompanied by his cousin Mallam Touffique, an NPP stalwart in the Yeji constituency, said the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition stands the chance of reaping more votes from the three northern regions, and the Zongo communities in the December elections.
He noted it was evidently clear that the NDC, which had erroneously portrayed itself as the party for the Zongos, only used the Zongo people to gain political power, and afterwards dumped them. Sheikh Mahmoud, therefore, called on the Azorka Boys in Tamale, to be wary of the NDC and advise themselves accordingly.
He took a swipe at the NDC General Secretary, Mr. Johnson Asiedu-Nketia for a statement he made, that religion and ethnic balance did not matter in the choice of presidential running mates, and said, "This is a manifestation of the NDC's discrimination against Muslims."
Sheikh Mahmoud said in Ghana there were three main religions namely, Christianity, Islam and traditional, and it was always important for politicians to strike a balance among the three of them. He urged Muslims to avoid acts that could tarnish the image of the religion, because "Islam is a peaceful religion."
Mallam Touffique observed that the choice of Dr. Bawumia by NPP's flagbearer, Nana Adoo Dankwa Akufo Addo, had proven that the presidential candidate, like President Kufuor, was a listening man.
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