Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the 2024 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said tribalism and religious bigotry pose an existential threat to the NPP and should not have a place within the party.
Speaking at the NPP’s National Delegates Conference held on Saturday, July 19, Dr Bawumia stated, “Let me say tribalism and religious bigotry from whichever quarters they emanate pose an existential threat and should have no place in the New Patriotic Party,” he advised.
“We must ensure Ghanaians genuinely see the lessons we have learned and are willing to apply the next time round. We shouldn’t be shy about them; it is then that our fellow countrymen and women will give us another opportunity to serve. An army that wants to win a battle must exercise discipline within its ranks,” he stated.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia further urged party members to stop internal attacks.
Bawumia reiterated that the attacks the NPP launches among themselves become an ammunition for their opponents, the NDC, which was used against them.
Dr Bawumia added, “Too often, when we are yet to choose our leaders, indiscipline, unacceptable language, and unpardonable behaviour become the order of the day.
In the end, when internal competitions are over, the attacks we have launched on ourselves become further ammunition which our opponents use against us”.
“In the end, when internal competitions are over, the attacks we have launched on ourselves become further ammunition which our opponents use against us. We experienced it in the 2024 campaign, and we should not let it happen again a second time. This is why I call on all ‘kokrodites’ to stop internal attacks now. Let’s stop the internal attacks now,” he warned.
In addition, the minority leader, Afenyo Markin, echoed the same sentiment, noting that Internal discord, suspicions, and disunity have cost the NPP.
Afenyo Markin stated, “Let’s move with one voice. We’re in a season that demands sober reflection and radical unity. This is a time to rebuild, reconnect with the grassroots, re-engage with the base and reconnect with Ghanaians with a bold new vision for the future. With unity, we become a force; unity doesn’t mean uniformity, but loyalty to a shared purpose.
We must rebrand ourselves with better results and strong character. We must rebuild together, anchored in our values that no individual is bigger than the NPP, and that belief must reflect our language, tone, strategy and posture towards one another.
Internal discord, suspicions, and disunity have cost us. We made mistakes, but we’re not a broken party; we’re only a battle-tested party. We’re not a party of despair. Let’s end hate campaigns. We must reclaim the spirit of unity, discipline and shared purpose.”
