An aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogtari has described comments by the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Justin Kodua Frimpong that the election of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as flagbearer of the NPP meant the party could no longer be called an ‘akan’ party, as a weak-minded argument.
It is recalled that addressing party supporters at the Accra Sports stadium where the final results of the NPP elections were announced on Saturday, November 4, Mr Kodua Frimpong said “Today we have made history…” The NPP can no longer be called the Akan party. Not long ago, someone said the NPP will never elect a northern as its flagbearer.”
Former National Chair of the NPP Peter Mac Manu also made a similar comment after stating that Dr Bawumia’s victory defeats the claim by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the north has been their stronghold.
He told TV3’s Eric Mawuena Egbeta at the Accra Sports Stadium, the venue of the declaration of the final result of the NPP presidential primaries, on Saturday, November 4, “This is the first time NPP is choosing a candidate from the north.”
Asked how significant this is, he answered “It is very significant because NDC has been touting that the north is their stronghold…2024 we will see.”
Commenting on this in a tweet, Bawah Mogtari said “So the contest is no longer about @MBawumia economics or his economic prowess and capability but now about tribe!
“This is exactly what @JDMahama was talking about! Bawumia now a pawn in the middle of the NPP’s tribal politics! Completely weak-minded argument and literally explains why they have totally lost the plot! Such a shameful thing to say!”