Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, affectionately referred to as DMB has informed the Majority Caucus in Parliament of his decision to contest the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries when nominations are open later this month.
He announced his intention at a heavily attended majority caucus meeting in the evening of Tuesday, May 2, 2023, according to information gathered.
Vice President Bawumia’s message, Asaase News further learnt, was “unity and perseverance. Together we can succeed. It is possible”.
Over 100 Members of Parliament (MPs) have already declared their support for Vice President Bawumia who is heavily tipped to win the NPP presidential primaries for the 2024 general election.
The MPs believe the second gentleman of the land is the one who can help the governing party achieve its objective of “breaking the 8”.
NPP has set November 4, 2023, as the date for its presidential primaries to select a flagbearer for the general election in 2024.
However, if more than five candidates file to run in the primaries, the party will hold a Special Congress on August 26 to cut the number to five for the main primaries.
Potential contestants
About 10 people have so far declared their intention to contest the NPP presidential primaries including former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen, MP for Assin Central Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, and former Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie-Akoto.
The rest are former Minister for Energy Boakye Agyarko, former Minster for Railway Development Joe Ghartey, former General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, former MP for Mampong Francis Addai Nimoh.
Timelines for primaries
The nomination period for the presidential primaries will begin on May 26 and end on June 24, 2023. The party has also announced that parliamentary primaries will be held in February 2024.
Nominations will be accepted between December 20, 2023, and January 4, 2024. This means NPP will choose its Presidential Candidate before its parliamentary candidates.
Clearest hint
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on Tuesday 4 April 2023, gave the clearest hint yet that he is lacing his boots to contest the flagbearership slot for 2024 general elections.
In a post on his verified Facebook page, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, gave the clearest hint yet of his intentions to contest for the flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party for 2024.And, he did so by drawing a link between what seems to be his presidential ambition with a Biblical verse, Matthew 19:26.Dr Bawumia posted a picture which had the Ghana flag to the left and the NPP’s red, white and blue flag to the right with the inscription “It Is Possible” at the top of the two flags.The post within one hour after it surfaced on his Facebook wall, went viral, drawing comments from some of the over 900,000 followers of the Vice President on Facebook.ReactionsOne of the Vice President’s followers, Samuel Twum Essien, wrote; “Yes indeed it is always possible. It is always possible you will be our next leader. It is always possible you will be our next president.“It is always possible Ghana will go higher and higher under your government. Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia the man I truly love from the whole bottom of my heart”.Albert Asante, on the hand said; “God bless our homeland Ghana. It is indeed possible #DMB2024”.
Ama Utah, in response to the post also said “our future is about to be bright. In DMB we trust!!! #BestToLead #NextToLead #DMB2024.
Boakye Prince, said “May Dr. Bawumia be protected by Allah to break the 8 and George Emil on his part said; “Definitely Possible. #DMB is a Ghana Project#.
The big challenge
No party in Ghana’s history has managed to win a third successive presidential election. That is the big challenge the NPP faces on December 7, 2024. And, the message from the Vice President to his party members appeared to be that it is possible to “break the 8”.
