The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, some Members of Parliament (MPs), and the national leadership of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), yesterday, abandoned their cozy vehicles, including the highly comfortable V8s, to board a commercial bus to Salaga.
They were attending the funeral of the late Lepowura Alhaji Jawula, at Kpembe, Salaga, in the Savannah Region.
Some of the MPs who were on the same bus with the Vice President are Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu – MP for Suame, Frank Annoh-Dompreh – MP Nsawam Adoagyiri, Kennedy Osei-Nyarko – MP, Akim Swedru, Alex Tetteh – MP, Sefwi Akontombra, Sheila Bartels – MP, Ablekuma North, Farouk Aliu Mahama – MP, Yendi, Habib Iddrisu – MP, Tolon, Hassan Tampuli – MP, Gushegu, Iddi Abdullah – MP, Salaga North, and Alex Agyare – MP, Kade.
Others were Amidu Chinia – MP, Sissala East, Abanga Abdulai – MP, Binduri, Tahidu Abdul Razak – MP, Cheripuni, Dr. Prince Armah – MP, Kwesimintim, Steven Jalulah – MP, Pru West, Oscar liwal – MP, Yunyoo, Hardi Tuferu – MP, Nanton, John Benbam Jabaah – Zabzugu, Joseph Cudjoe – MP, Effia, Collins Ntim – MP, Offinso North, Okyere-Agyekum – MP, Fanteakwa South.
The list also included Dr. Amin Anta – MP, Karaga, Mustapha Ussif – MP, Yagba – Kubori,  Kofi Marfo – MP, Achiase, Akwasi Konadu – MP, Manhyia North, Nana Eyiah – MP, Gomoa Central, Freda Prempeh – MP, Tano North, Elvis Morris Donkor – MP, Abura/Asebu/Kwamankesse, Philip Basoa – MP, Kumawu, Tina Mensah – MP, Weija Gbawe, Paul Twum-Barimah – MP, Dormaa East, Dominic Nitiwul-MP, Bimbilla, and Mohammed Asei Seini – MP, Daboya.
It is not officially known whether they were all delegated to represent the party, the government, or even Parliament.
However, of interest is the selection, which appeared to have representation from almost all the 16 regions.
Though some commentators have critiqued the move, describing same as a publicity stunt, many have commended the Vice President and the MPs, arguing that they have saved the state money to fuel all their V8s for that long journey.
CAMPAIGN
There are others who have viewed the move with political eyes, owing to the upcoming presidential candidate contest of the elephant family.
The two main contenders, former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen and the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia, appear to have been working hard to win majority of the NPP MPs to their respective camps.
It is not readily known whether the MPs who accompanied the second gentleman of the country in one commercial bus to Salaga support the candidature of Dr. Bawumia.
However, given the political season in which the party finds itself, analysts may not be far from the truth if they opined that the over 30 MPs are rooting for Bawumia.
CONSULTATION ON PRIMARIES
In a related development, the National Council of the NPP has endorsed the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to engage in broad stakeholder consultations before announcing a date for its Presidential and Parliamentary primaries.
Two blocks within the party are pushing for an early Congress, while the other is asking the party to abide by the provisions of its Constitution which mandate the party to elect a presidential candidate 12 months to a major election. But the party says another meeting will be called to deliberate on a date.
