Former vice president Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has broken his silence following attacks on his person, revealing that there are plots aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries.
Addressing party delegates in the Ashanti Region, Bawumia said detractors may use falsehoods and personal attacks in the two weeks leading up to the 31 January, primaries but urged supporters to stay focused on the election.
“Even what you haven’t said will be attributed to you. All these things are part of their strategies, but I won’t mind them,” he said. “This is not a contest of insults. We will focus on winning the election.”
Controversy
The controversy arose after presidential aspirant Kennedy Agyapong accused Bawumia of misleading delegates about historical trends regarding first-time NPP presidential candidates, calling him “a liar” over comments linked to Professor Albert Adu Boahen’s 1996 election bid.
Video evidence later showed the statements were actually made by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi. Wontumi told delegates that, with the exception of Adu Boahen, the party had historically retained first-time candidates, citing health reasons for Adu Boahen’s case.
Failed leadership
The Bawumia campaign has condemned Kennedy Agyapong over recent comments targeting Mahamudu Bawumia, describing the remarks as a failure of leadership, verification and temperament.
Akbar Yusif Khomeini, deputy spokesperson for the Bawumia campaign team, said Agyapong launched an unjustified attack on the former vice president based on claims that were never made by Bawumia.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Tuesday (20 January), Khomeini said basic leadership requires verification of facts before making public accusations, especially in a presidential contest.
“It is embarrassing for someone seeking to lead the New Patriotic Party to fail to verify information and then insult a former vice president of the Republic by calling him a liar,” he said.
Source: asaaseradio.com
