President John Dramani Mahama has revealed how the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II persuaded him to become the late President John Evans Atta Mills Mills’ running mate in 2008.
According to John Mahama, when the Otumfuo makes a request, who was he to refuse?
“The first time Prof. Mills sent Baffoe-Bonnie of blessed memory, and a team to tell me he wanted me to be his running mate, I said no. I had already made up my mind to leave politics.
So later he sent Ato Ahwoi, Totobi Quakyi, and Kwamena Ahwoi to come and ask me to accept to be his running mate again I said no”.
He continued, “So, One day, while I was in Accra, I got a call that Otumfuo wanted to see me in Manhyia. Who was I to refuse? So I got up and went. When I arrived, he asked, ‘Are you the one refusing to be Prof. Mills’ running mate? You can’t do that. When your country calls you, you must respond.’”
He say I was sitting in London somewhere and my Kingdom called me to come and be Otumfuo, you think I don’t want to enjoy the free life? I had to do it so you cannot refuse.
Otumfuo said, ‘I promised President Mills that I would speak to you. When Otumfuo makes a request, who am I to refuse? When I return to Accra, I want your final answer.’ And when he came back, I told him I had agreed—though I made it clear I was willing to serve for only one term, the rest is history” Mahama recounted.
“So yes, Otumfuo was instrumental in me becoming Prof. Mills’ running mate, and everything after that became history. Your Majesty, thank you very much and I truly appreciate your friendship,” Mahama said.
Watch the video below:
“When Otumfuo makes a request, who am I to refuse?” – Mahama recounts how he became Prof. Mills’ running mate.#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/aT9HYgQ4eL
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