‘Bawumia’s nomination fulfils promise to Muslim community’
The presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has said that the nomination of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as his running mate for the 2016 election is a fulfilment of a promise to the Muslim community.
He has, therefore, urged Muslims to regard the NPP as their own party that was working to better their lot in the country and that they would not be relegated to the background.
Nana Akufo-Addo made these remarks when he and his running mate and some NPP top executive, including the National Chairman, Mr Paul Afoko, and Mr Francis Addai-Nimoh joined Muslims to pray at the Abossey Okai Central Mosque in Accra yesterday.
Nana Akufo-Addo said he had prayed in his heart that when elected as the flag bearer of the NPP for the third time, he would keep to his promise to nominate Dr Bawumia as his running mate.
He explained that when the party gave him the nod to lead the party, he quickly sent the name of Dr Bawumia to the National Council of the party.
He said God being so good, the National Council gave him a unanimous and enthusiastic endorsement to complete the composition of his team for 2016 general election.
Nana Akufo-Addo said with the completion of the composition of his team, they had come before the Chief Imam intercede on their behalf to enable them to execute their project of campaigning for Election 2016.
He asked the Chief Imam to pray for peace in the country, without which no development could take place.
Mr Afoko said out of six elections in the country since 1992, the NPP had won two with a Muslim, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, as the vice president.
He said the NPP was bent on repeating that feat with Dr Bawumia, a devout Muslim, as the vice president to complete the good work of the late Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama in the Zongo communities.
Dr Bawumia said his nomination for the third time showed the confidence Nana Akufo- Addo had in Muslims.
He, therefore, urged Muslims to regard his nomination as a victory not for himself only but for the entire Muslim community across the country and added that they were indispensable in the building of the nation.
He also urged Muslims to pray and work for the party, bearing in mind that when successful, it would be a collective effort by all Muslims and non Muslims alike.
“When the hard work is completed and God willing the party comes to power, I will ensure that the affairs of Muslims are not relegated to the background,” Dr Bawumia said.
The National Chief Imam, Sheik Nuhu Sharabutu, who led the Friday prayers, prayed for the leadership in the country and urged God’s guidance for them to place the interest of the nation above personal interest to ensure peace in the country.