Tamale Central MP Murtala Mohammed has urged Ghanaians to support John Mahama, advising voters to ignore Vice President Bawumia’s appeal for Muslim votes.

Mr Mohammed criticised Bawumia for allegedly lying, which he argued contradicts Islamic teachings, and encouraged voting based on competence and dedication rather than religious affiliation.

“So, I am telling you that it is our collective responsibility to ensure that Hon Muntaka Muhammad comes back to Parliament. You don’t necessarily need to like him to be able to vote for him. You don’t necessarily need to adore him to be able to vote for him. But you are voting for him because of NDC. You are voting for him because you want President Mahama to have a majority to reset this country,” he said on Sunday, August 4, 2024

Speaking at a campaign launch and health walk in the Asawase constituency in the Ashanti Region, Mr Mohammed commended Asawase MP Muntaka Muhammad for his integrity and contributions to the Muslim community, including securing a suitable space for Friday prayers in Parliament.

Mr Mohammed accused Vice President Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, of remaining silent on issues crucial to Muslims, such as the mistreatment of Muslim students and the violence in Palestine.

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“And I stand here to tell you that we are asking you to vote for Hon Muntaka because he represents the entire Muslim Ummah in Parliament. And I can tell you, I can tell you, today we have a befitting place we pray. If you come to Parliament on Friday, there is a befitting place you stand to pray. Wallahi, it was because of his effort. And when our brother, Dr Bawumia, goes about telling people to vote for me because I am a Muslim, I have a simple question for him.”

“Islam says you shouldn’t lie. He is consistently lying. Islam says you should have a principled position. When Western girls, and Muslim students were denied their basic rights to practice their religion, Hon. Muntaka galvanised us. And we spoke loudly about it. He led us to meet the Minister for Education."

“He led a team to meet many people including the Vice President. Dr Bawumia never uttered a single word. Now we stand here today, and I want to find out from Dr. Bawumia, that Islam says ‘al-Muslim ahul Muslim’. Our brothers are being killed in Palestine.”

The MP urged voters to elect Mr Mubarak and Mr Mahama to ensure a parliamentary majority for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and to “reset” the country.

He stressed that supporting Mr Muntaka is a shared responsibility, essential for advancing the NDC’s goals.

“I have taken a position. President Nana Addo went to America and said that my side and my government are behind Israel. We are not behind Israel.

“We can never be behind Israel. His Excellency President Mahama’s position was very clear. He said that the country Ghana has an unflinching loyalty and support to the people of Palestine.”