Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has pushed back on claims that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia does not deserve to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2028 because he is an “outsider” within the party.
Referencing the political rise of former NPP Chairman Freddie Blay, he argued that accusations being directed at Dr Bawumia ignore recent party history.
“Freddie Blay joined the NPP in 2011 and became First Vice Chairman three years later,” he recalled, noting that Mr Blay later became Acting National Chairman before securing the substantive chairmanship in 2018.
According to him, if loyalty and origin are the standards, then those faulting Dr Bawumia should remember that figures like Mr Blay did not emerge from within the traditional NPP fold either.
Manasseh further highlighted Dr Bawumia’s role during the 2012 election petition, stating, “Some top NPP members I interviewed said Dr Bawumia’s acceptance to testify was an act of bravery that could have jeopardised his political career.”
He insisted that Dr Bawumia’s service to the party, including his work on the 2016 campaign and beyond, cannot be dismissed.
He urged critics to examine the Vice President based on merit and contribution.
“Judge him on the content of his character and whether he has paid his dues,” he wrote in, emphasising that the NPP’s successes in recent election cycles benefited significantly from Dr Bawumia’s contributions.
