Former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has criticised the politicisation of the crisis in Bawku, in the Upper East Region.

Speaking during the NPP’s national Thank You tour on Tuesday in the Western North Region, Dr Bawumia said the conflict, which has escalated recently, has been exploited by some politicians to advance their selfish interests at the expense of peace, describing the situation as “unfortunate”.

"The politicisation of the crisis in Bawku is very unfortunate because some people do it for their own parochial interests, not for the peace and stability of the area," Dr Bawumia said.

"They played politics with the situation and went around lying to the people that I was behind it. They said I was buying guns for Mamprusis to kill Kusasis. These were the lies they spread against me, and I was so sad when I heard it."

The former Vice President suggested that even some members of the NPP believed such propaganda and were spreading the same in the area.

Over time, Dr Bawumia noted, God has now exposed the NDC, who he said championed the lies against him.

"Furthermore, the events in Bawku now have clearly demonstrated that the NDC lied to the people of Bawku for political advantage, and today, everyone has seen their lies."

"By the grace of God, many people have now seen their lies and the truth. Those who peddled these lies have now been exposed. This should be a lesson—that nobody should play politics with the Bawku issue."

The former Vice President, while calling for unity in the pursuit of lasting peace in Bawku, also urged all politicians to stop using the Bawku crisis and other chieftaincy matters for political gain.

"As politicians, let us be careful in using chieftaincy issues to do politics. The NDC have done it, and it is now hanging around their neck. I want peace in Bawku more than anybody, and I pray the mediation team being led by Otumfuo will be able to bring much-needed peace to Bawku."