Special Aide to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Akosua Manu, popularly known as Kozie, has called on executives and stalwarts of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rally behind former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, describing him as a leader whose values align with the party’s most successful electoral moments.

Speaking at a gathering of polling station executives, constituency and regional officers, former ministers, CEOs, campaign team members and former parliamentary candidates, Ms Manu said the NPP has historically won elections when its flag bearer embodies three core beliefs: putting the nation first, being principle-driven and remaining people-centred.

“Our party has always had success in the polls when we represent a flag bearer who puts the nation first, is principle-driven and people-centred,” she said, arguing that Dr Bawumia best represents those values among the party’s current crop of leaders.

To illustrate her point, Ms Manu referenced key moments in the party’s history, beginning with the 1996 elections, when then-candidate John Agyekum Kufuor accepted defeat and attended the inauguration of former President Jerry John Rawlings.

“He showed exceptional maturity, and Ghanaians saw it and said, ‘This is a true gentleman’. Four years later, President Kufuor won the election,” she noted.

She also recalled the aftermath of the 2012 presidential election, which she described as one of the most controversial in Ghana’s political history. According to her, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo resisted pressure to incite public unrest after losing the polls and instead pursued legal redress at the Supreme Court, with Dr Bawumia playing a key role in the process.

“Four years later, having put the nation first, Ghanaians rewarded Nana Akufo-Addo with power,” she said.

Ms Manu further pointed to events surrounding the December 7, 2024, general elections, claiming intelligence reports suggested attempts to foment unrest by accusing the NPP of refusing to hand over power. She said Dr Bawumia’s response once again reflected restraint and national interest over personal ambition.

“He believed that not a single drop of blood should be shed on account of his personal ambition,” she said.

Describing Dr Bawumia as an exemplary former Vice President, Ms Manu praised his loyalty to the party, saying he had never denigrated the NPP or placed his personal ambitions above its core values.

“At no point in time did Dr Bawumia put his ambition above the party. He has always remained loyal to the party and its true values,” she stated.

She described him as “the best vice president we have seen” and expressed confidence that he would perform even better as president if given the opportunity.

As the NPP looks ahead to future elections, Ms Manu urged party members to remember the three guiding principles she outlined and to support Dr Bawumia’s leadership bid.

“I am asking for your votes,” she said, predicting that Dr Bawumia would lead the party to victory in 2028, before inviting party members to welcome him with a standing ovation.