By Dr Issah Imoro
People amazed at my open show of admiration for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and my support for calls on him to lead the party in 2024 often ask me: “why Dr Bawumia”? In return, I get more amazed at a question whose answer is so obvious and ask them: “why not Dr Bawumia”? and “who else if not Dr Bawumia”?
The general elections in 2024 presents a unique opportunity for the New Patriotic Party to break the 8 year alternating pattern of political power between the NPP and NDC which has characterized recent Ghanaian history. The last time the NPP was faced with such an opportunity was in 2008 when we lost narrowly to President Atta Mills at the Run-off. A number of reasons have been attributed to the defeat, most prominent is the sympathy votes in favour of Atta Mills who was having a third try, rather a fourth shot (run-off) at the polls.
In 2024, there is no possible candidate from the NDC who would have the kind of “sympathy” advantage that Atta Mills had at the Run-Off in 2008. The only person who comes close is John Mahama but unfortunately for him and the NDC, Ghanaians resoundly rejected him twice at the polls after witnessing severe hardships under his bad leadership. His rejection signifies a vote of no confidence and makes him less likely to be a viable option at the next polls if presented as a candidate. In fact, instead of the kind of “sympathy” votes Atta Mills obtained, John Mahama is likely to face “dissympathy” and “indifference” from many voters.
As such, the greatest chance for the NPP to break the 8 cannot be more prime than what we will face in 2024. This calls for a candidate who can easily capitalise on the gains our Government has made. It also requires personality who is a dominating force than any possible NDC candidate as far as recent political events are concerned. Without mincing any words, there can be no better candidate from the NPP well placed for this task than Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
History has shown that breaking the 8 with an incumbent Vice President as Presidential Candidate is indeed possible. In 1988, it happened in the US with then incumbent Vice President George H W Bush and under the prevailing circumstances, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia stands a very good chance of making history in Ghana by breaking the 8 for the NPP In Shaa Allah.
Out of the several leadership and winnable qualities possessed by Dr. Bawumia, one that is fit to mention in this regard is his unmatched marketability on 3 different fronts:
He (Dr. Bawumia) is currently the most marketed personality within the NPP as far as the base of the party is concerned. Since his nomination as running mate for President Akufo-Addo in 2008 and for the past 13 years, he has consistently maintained touch with party grassroots across the country.
He has travelled extensively throughout the various constituencies preaching party policies to members during campaigns and Government policies whilst in power. He has probably done several tours across the country in a few years meeting party grass-root members than all those popping up as potential aspirants have done all together in their political careers.
The campaign period of the upcoming internal contest will probably be the first time in over 4 years since some of those trying to contest him would have gone across the country to engage party members. It is obvious with the greatest of respect that such people can in no way feel the heartbeat of Party people across the country.
Dr. Bawumia is also currently the most marketed possible NPP candidate who has had contact with Non-NPP and neutral voters across the country. Owing to the peculiar nature of the campaign style adopted by the NPP since 2008 where the Presidential candidate and Running mate run parallel teams criss-crossing the country, Dr. Bawumia has had first-hand contact with all potential voters across the country.
He visited almost all the constituencies as the lead campaigner from 2008 to 2020. Thus, it will be easier for him to reconnect with Non-NPP and neutral voters as a presidential candidate in 2024.
He (Dr. Bawumia) is currently the most marketed Government appointee who can campaign on the achievements of Akufo-Addo’s Government. There is no shying away from the fact that anyone that represents the NPP would be required to defend and promote the policies of Government during the electioneering campaign.
With the uniqueness of the task in 2024, it requires someone who has been actively involved in the process and someone who can effectively explain why certain policy decisions were taken.
It would also require someone who will consistently be seen by the people and speaking in an official capacity to assure the people of what government has done and will do to improve upon their lives if given the nod in 2024. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia can easily play this vital role through his official tours as Vice President and during the campaigns as Presidential Candidate.
These and several other important reasons explain why “it should be Dr. Bawumia” in 2024 for the NPP and it is refreshing to see a euphoric feeling surrounding his expected leadership of the party. I am therefore confident that when the time comes, party delegates will rise to the occasion to elect him as Presidential Candidate for Ghanaians to vote him as President at the polls in 2024 In Shaa Allah.
