Sammi Awuku (R) says Dr Bawumia has been unhappy about a lot of things within the NPP
A senior adviser to the Dr Mahamudu Bawumia campaign, Sammi Awuku, has disclosed that the former vice president was deeply unhappy during the peace pact signed by New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirants, citing concerns over developments surrounding the party’s internal elections.
According to Awuku, Dr Bawumia made no attempt to hide his displeasure at the event, a departure from his usually cheerful public demeanour.
“Dr Bawumia did not pretend about how he felt. Anyone who watched closely could see that he was not his usual smiling self.
“He was clearly moody, and that tells you that all is not well,” he said.
Speaking in an interview with Akwasi Nsiah on Badwam on Adom TV, Awuku explained that a number of decisions taken by the party’s election committee have left the Bawumia camp worried and dissatisfied.
“One of the major issues is the decision to decline proxy voting. Dr Bawumia has a very strong support base in the Diaspora, and in the 2023 presidential primaries, that support reflected clearly in his convincing victory.
“To suddenly take away proxy voting is a big blow and raises serious concerns,” he explained.
Sammi Awuku described the decision as a form of sabotage against the former vice president, arguing that it disproportionately affects his support base.
He added that unresolved controversies surrounding the representation of the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) in the electoral process have further compounded the problem.
“The TESCON issue has not been handled well at all.
“It is another challenge that adds to the growing perception that the process is not being managed fairly,” he added.
He further alleged that the party’s disciplinary processes are being applied selectively, to the disadvantage of the Bawumia camp.
According to him, several party members who express views perceived to favour Dr Bawumia are quickly hauled before disciplinary committees, while supporters of other aspirants who make equally offensive remarks against Dr Bawumia face no sanctions.
“There is something fishy going on. It appears those aligned with Dr Bawumia are the ones being dragged to disciplinary committees, while others who malign him are left off the hook without even a word of caution,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the NPP Election Committee, William Yamoah, has rejected suggestions that the process is skewed against any aspirant.
Speaking on the same programme, he maintained that the committee has acted in good faith and remains committed to delivering a credible election.
“We have done our best as a committee, and we firmly believe that the election will be free, fair and transparent.
“Throughout this process, we have consistently engaged the agents and representatives of all aspirants in most of the key decisions taken to govern the election,” Yamoah said.
He added that he would be surprised if any aspirant publicly criticised the work of the committee, given the level of consultation and stakeholder engagement that has taken place.
