Johnson Ayine, a member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) communications team in the Upper East Region, has defended the party’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, over his ongoing nationwide tour and recent apologies to the Ghanaian public. According to Mr. Ayine, the apologies are a necessary and honest reflection on past shortcomings.
Addressing criticism that Dr. Bawumia’s apologies during his regional engagements are insufficient, Mr. Ayine explained that it is unrealistic to expect unanimous support for any political leader. He argued that the former Vice President’s acknowledgment of past mistakes and his willingness to make amends demonstrate responsible leadership. According to him, the apologies stem from valuable lessons learned—particularly after the voter apathy experienced during the 2024 elections.
“We cannot get everyone to say they have accepted it. But I think if you are a leader and, upon reflection, you believe you could have done better, then it is only right for you to apologize,” he stated.
Mr. Ayine noted that while not everyone may accept the apologies—especially in the context of internal party competition—the broader party base is responding positively to Dr. Bawumia’s outreach. He stressed that the focus should be on reaching the wider Ghanaian population rather than attempting to please every individual, especially those with competing political ambitions.
“I believe with all his tours and the message he is delivering, the majority of the party base accepts his apology. So there’s no problem with that,” he added.
He also used the opportunity to call for calm and discipline among party members and supporters. According to him, recent tensions within the NPP and heated exchanges on social media are unhelpful and disrespectful to the party’s national executives. He described the growing indiscipline as a troubling trend, highlighting how some individuals act without regard for consequences, including possible sanctions.
“What I want to use this opportunity to advise is that we, the followers, should be mindful of what we say or post on social media. It is not helping us.”
Mr. Ayine urged supporters to promote their preferred candidates in a constructive and respectful manner, emphasizing the importance of unity within the party. He reminded members that political dynamics can change, and it is in everyone’s best interest to maintain decorum, especially in the lead-up to the upcoming elections.
He encouraged members to avoid personal attacks and instead focus on presenting the strengths and visions of their candidates to the public for the sake of party cohesion and electoral success.
“You can go out there to campaign for whatever candidate you support, but do it reasonably. Market your candidate. Why should people vote for him or her? That is all,” he stressed.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
