The flagbearer of Ghana’s New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has revealed that his campaign team initially opposed his decision to concede defeat in the December 7 election.

Despite their concerns, Dr Bawumia chose to publicly acknowledge the outcome early to help preserve the country’s peace and stability. His concession, made on December 8, came just hours after voting had concluded, well before the official results were announced by the Electoral Commission.

On December 9, the Commission declared John Dramani Mahama the winner with 6,328,397 votes, or 56.55% of the total valid votes cast.

Speaking to party supporters at his residence on December 26, Dr Bawumia explained his decision, stating that it was driven by his commitment to Ghana’s democratic values and the desire to prevent unrest.

“The stability of Ghana must always come first,” he said, highlighting the importance of national unity and peace. “Even though the Electoral Commission had not yet made an official announcement, I felt it was essential to act swiftly. If we waited, it could have caused unnecessary tension, potentially leading to violence, as people might have thought we were attempting to rig the election.”

He also noted the reservations expressed by some within his team, who questioned the reliability of the data and advised waiting for the official announcement. However, Dr Bawumia stood firm, stating that the information from his own campaign’s systems was reliable.

“Although no one has ever conceded an election before the Electoral Commission’s declaration, I believed there was a first time for everything,” he added.

Dr Bawumia also expressed his gratitude to his supporters, urging them to remain committed to the NPP’s ideals and continue striving for a stronger, more united Ghana.

Source:TheDotNews