Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has urged members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to reject tribal and religious divisions, insisting that the party’s strength has always been rooted in unity and equal participation.
Addressing supporters in Wa during his campaign tour of the Upper West Region, Dr Bawumia condemned what he described as growing attempts by some within the party to label groups as “slaves” or “royals”, warning that such rhetoric threatens the party’s image and cohesion.
Dr Bawumia stressed that the NPP must remain a political tradition in which every member is treated with dignity, regardless of background. “There are no slaves and there no royals in this party. We are all together as one in this party. Nobody is higher than anybody else. We are all one,” he said.
He cautioned those pushing tribal narratives to desist, arguing that their actions undermine the party’s credibility. “So all those people who are out there in our party making tribal and bigoted statements should desist from that because their comments are not ruining Dr. Bawumia; they are rather ruining the image of the party.”
The former Vice President encouraged party members across the country to reject any messages aimed at division, saying unity remained essential for achieving the NPP’s broader objectives. “We don't need tribalism in our party. Le us all be known that we will all come together on an equal basis and we will all continue to serbe this party on equal basis. Nobody has any special entitlement simply because they come from one part of the country.”
He added: “We need unity in our party. We don't need people to divide us on the basis of tribe or on the basis of religion. These are alien to us. Let us all come together.”
Dr Bawumia reiterated his commitment to respectful political engagement, noting that his approach was grounded in keeping the party united after internal contests. “I want to assure all of you that I know we need unity and I am very committed to it. This is why when I campaign, I don't insult anybody. I don't talk down on anybody. I speak with respect and deference to my opponents because I know after election, we all have to come together and work hard for the part.”
Addressing a separate gathering in Wa, Dr Bawumia reminded members of the party’s longstanding tradition of valuing competence and electability over tribal or religious considerations. He cited historical examples to argue that the NPP’s leadership choices have always extended beyond regional lines.
“When you look at our party, we have never voted on tribal lines. We always vote on the basis of competence, of capacity and who can win the power for us,” he said. He referenced past leadership decisions, noting, “That is how it started with our forefathers SD Dombo, Abayifa Karbo and co when the leadership was ceded to Busia. If it was on tribal basis, the Northern People Party would have kept the leadership in the United Party.”
He added that northern constituencies have repeatedly supported leaders from other parts of the country. “The north also supported Kufuor and didn't support Malik in 1998. The north also supported Akufo-Addo and didn't support Aliu Mahama in 2007. That is how it is in our party.”
Dr Bawumia dismissed claims that northern support for his candidacy was tribal, arguing that his appeal cuts across all regions. “Simply because the north is supporting me doesn't mean it is tribalistic. There are 15 other regions that is supporting Dr. Bawumia so it is not about tribalism.”
He concluded with another caution to party members who continue to make divisive remarks: “This party doesn't vote on tribalism. We vote on competence and we vote on who can help us win power. And so all those people who are out there in our party making tribal and bigoted statements should desist from that because their comments are not ruining Dr. Bawumia; they are rather ruining the image of the party.”
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