Bawumia: NPP Prioritizes Competence Over Origin
Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has cautioned against the use of divisive tactics within the party, stressing that the NPP’s leadership selection has historically been based on competence, not tribal or religious considerations.
Speaking in Wa during a campaign tour of the Upper West Region, Dr. Bawumia emphasized that the NPP prioritizes the ability of a leader to deliver and win power.
“When you look at our party, we have never voted on tribal lines. We always vote on the basis of competence, capacity, and who can win power for us,” he stated, highlighting the consistent support the North has given leaders from across the country, and the reciprocation of national support he receives.
Dr. Bawumia drew on the party’s history, referencing its founding figures. “That is how it started with our forefathers—S.D. Dombo, Abayifa Karbo and others—when the leadership was ceded to Busia. If it was on tribal lines, the Northern People’s Party would have kept the leadership within the United Party,” he explained.
He further pointed to past elections within the party. “The North also supported Kufuor and did not support Malik in 1998. The North supported Akufo-Addo and did not support Aliu Mahama in 2007. That is how it is in our party.”
Addressing accusations of tribalism leveled against northerners supporting his bid, Dr. Bawumia asserted that such claims demonstrate a lack of understanding of the NPP’s traditions. “Simply because the North is supporting me doesn’t mean it is being tribalistic. There are 15 other regions that are supporting Dr. Bawumia, so it is not about tribalism.”
He reiterated the party’s core principle: “This party doesn’t vote on tribalism. We vote on competence and on who can help us win power.”
Dr. Bawumia urged party members to refrain from making divisive statements. “And so all those people in our party making tribal and bigoted statements should desist, because their comments are not harming Dr. Bawumia—they are harming the image of the party,” he concluded.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
