Accra: The former Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South East, Kwame Adabo, has called on members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to uphold the party's tradition of retaining its presidential candidates after initial electoral defeats. Adabo's remarks came during Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's campaign engagements with delegates from his constituency.
According to Ghana Web, Adabo emphasized the historical precedent set by former presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo, who were both retained by the NPP after unsuccessful initial bids and eventually elected as presidents. He argued for the continuation of this tradition, stating there is no justification for replacing Bawumia as the party's flagbearer.
Adabo questioned the rationale behind denying Bawumia another opportunity, saying, "If Kufuor was presented twice and Nana Addo was presented three times, what crime has Bawumia committed that we can't present Bawumia again?" He further defended Bawumia, asserting that external factors contributed to the party's prospective 2024 electoral defeat and that Bawumia should not be solely blamed.
Highlighting the issue of collective responsibility, Adabo shared a personal anecdote about limited opportunities within the security services, which resulted in widespread dissatisfaction among constituents. He urged party members to recognize the broader challenges faced during the electoral process.
Adabo also praised Dr. Bawumia's vision for Ghana's development, citing initiatives such as the introduction of gold for reserves and gold for oil. He expressed confidence in Bawumia's potential leadership, asserting, "We know the impact he made as Vice President and we are confident that when you become President, Ghana will see a lot of progress."
Concluding his address, Adabo urged delegates to remain steadfast in their support for Dr. Bawumia, cautioning against being swayed by financial incentives from opposing factions. He reaffirmed the collective belief in Bawumia's ability to lead the NPP to victory.