Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the former Vice President and 2024 NPP flagbearer, has replied to some NPP members who are claiming his wife, Samira Bawumia, is not a true Ghanaian.
The former vice president noted that when Samira Bawumia was campaigning the length and breadth of Ghana for the NPP, her identity as a Ghanaian was never questioned.
According to Dr Bawumia, the NPP’s internal politics has become dangerous.
He asserted that the NPP is not a tribally or religiously bigoted party.
Speaking at the NPP New York 33rd Anniversary on Sunday, August 24, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia questioned, “When Samira was campaigning the length and breadth of Ghana for the party, they did not say she was not a true Ghanaian. So what has changed now? Why now?”.
Dr Bawumia emphasised that his wife has made immense contributions to the NPP by mobilising support across the country both in government and in opposition.
He added that the propaganda from his rivals is are clear sign of the lack of a clear message and vision.
“It made me realise how desperate and dangerous some of our internal opponents have become. NPP is not a tribally or religiously bigoted party, so look for other issues to market yourselves,” he declared.
“We are the party of inclusivity and hope. Our strength has always come from embracing Ghanaians of every background. That is what will make us win in 2028,” he concluded.
Also, Dr Bawumia further fired shots at his rivals, urging them to contest him with their visions and ideas.
According to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s 2026 primaries must be on ideas and visions and not on tribal or religious propaganda.
Dr Bawumia dismissed attempts to discredit him based on his northern roots or Islamic faith.
He noted that tribal or religious propaganda is dangerous and unworthy of the NPP’s democratic tradition.
Dr Bawumia at the event stated, “If you want to contest me, come with a vision, come with your ideas, come with your track record, come with your integrity and let us decide”.
“The NPP has always been the party that embraces all Ghanaians, regardless of where they come from or what religion they practise. That is our heritage and our strength. If we stay true to this and focus on ideas, we will be well-positioned to win the 2028 elections,” he added.
His comments come on the back of Dr Bryan Acheampong, a flagbearer hopeful, who attributed the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 presidential election to the tribe of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
Speaking to a gathering, Dr Bryan Acheampong stated, “President Kufuor won all NPP votes in Kusasi, and President Akufo-Addo also did the same thing, but because the fight is between two tribes (Mamprusis and Kusasis) and we elected a flagbearer from one of them, we lost in the Oti Region, Upper East, Upper West, and the Northern Region.
“We lost all our seats because of the candidate we presented (Dr Mahamudu Bawumia), and he could be a victim of circumstance and not his fault, but the timing didn’t favour him”, he added.
However, a statement released from the campaign office of Dr Bryan Acheampong has cautioned the public against mischief.
According to them, Dr Bryan Acheampong’s message was not about division.
“Dr Acheampong has not, at any point, blamed former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for the Kusasi-Mamprusi conflict. His comments in the original video clearly stated that Dr Bawumia was a victim of circumstances, not a cause of division”, the report stated.
“Dr Acheampong’s message is clear: the NPP must unite around a winning strategy and candidate. His vision is to position the NPP for decisive victory in 2028 and to govern with the strength and clarity needed to resolve the deep-rooted issues holding communities and the nation back”, the report added.