Speculations and rumors over Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s presidential ambitions have come to an end after he officially entered the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential race.
Yesterday, at the party’s Asylum Down headquarters, some members of his camp, including Fred Oware, picked up nomination forms for him, after the party last Friday opened nominations.
He joins the likes of Boakye Agyarko, former Energy Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and former Minister for Food and Agriculture among others, to have picked their nomination forms.
Since nominations were opened on May 26, 2023 six persons have picked up forms to contest the flagbearership race.
The former Chief Executive Officer of the Bui Power Authority, Fred Oware, was accompanied by Sammi Awuku, Director General of the National Lotteries Authority.
They told the media that they had the authorisation of the Vice President to pick up the forms on his behalf.
This confirmation comes on the back of the party denying a group that had earlier attempted to pick up forms on behalf of the Vice President.
Though the group, Bawumia Fun Club, had a cheque for GH¢50,000 the party rejected it, for the reason that the group had no authorisation from the Vice President.
JUBILEE HOUSE
At the Veep’s office in Jubilee House yesterday, Mr. Fred Oware and Sammi Awuku called on him to present to him the nomination forms they had picked up from the party headquarters.
The scene was a lively one, as some staff of his office trooped in to witness the informal handing-over ceremony.
Presenting the document, Mr. Fred Oware said they were warmly welcomed at the party head office and went through all the needed processes.
“We were given the form and we paid for it. We looked at it and all the information we need is available, and here, on behalf of the delegation, I wish to formally put the document in your hands,” he said amidst cheers and applause.
DECLARATION
The Vice President, on May 3, this year, declared his intention to vie for the flagbearership of the NPP in the 2024 general election.
Earlier, some members of parliament, numbering 98 out of the 136 members of the NPP, openly declared their support for his candidacy.
The Vice President later met with the Majority Caucus in Parliament and officially informed them of his intention to contest the presidential primary slated for November 4, this year.
This disclosure to the Majority Caucus in Parliament was reiterated at an informal meeting with NPP supporters in Hohoe over the weekend.
“I want you to know that I appreciate your support. We are going to break the 8. First of all, we are going to file for the flagbearership, which I’m going to do, win the flagbearership, break the eight and go to Jubilee House. That is what I’m going to do,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
The party is expected to elect one of the nine as its presidential candidate for the 2024 election.
The party’s parliamentary primaries are scheduled for February next year.
