Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has reminded the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that securing a parliamentary majority is achieved through victories at polling stations within constituencies, not by maneuvering within Parliament.
This comes after dramatic events unfolded in Parliament on Thursday, where the Speaker of the House declared four seats held by MPs contesting the 2024 elections on different tickets as vacant.
The Speaker’s declaration temporarily reduced the NPP’s seat count, briefly granting the NDC majority status in Parliament. However, the NDC’s majority was short-lived. Within 24 hours, the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution on the Speaker’s ruling, nullifying it until a substantive case, seeking an interpretation of the relevant constitutional article, is heard.
Responding to the NDC’s momentary majority status, Dr. Bawumia, while addressing supporters at a large campaign rally in Nkawkaw on Saturday, taunted the opposition party. He emphasized that parliamentary majorities cannot be manufactured in the chambers of Parliament but are earned through elections at the polling stations.
“A few days ago, they [the NDC] did something in Parliament and claimed to be the majority side,” Dr. Bawumia remarked to a cheering crowd. “But their majority lasted just 24 hours. It was the shortest-living majority in history,” he added.
Dr. Bawumia was unequivocal in stating that majorities in Parliament are secured at the polling stations and that the NPP is well-positioned to win a decisive parliamentary majority in the upcoming December elections. “They [the NDC] need to understand that if they want a majority, they should come to the polling station, come to the constituency, win an election, and then go to Parliament. You don’t sit in Parliament and manufacture a majority for yourself,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia’s remarks reflect his confidence in the NPP’s chances as the December elections approach. The Vice President has been traveling across the country, campaigning in various constituencies, and meeting with voters at the grassroots level. He shared his optimism about the party’s performance in the upcoming election, particularly in securing a majority in Parliament.
“We will meet them in the constituencies, we will meet them at the polling stations. What I can assure you is that from what I’ve seen—having been to over 200 constituencies, campaigned on the ground, and analyzed the data—I can tell you, if we held elections today, the NPP would have a decisive majority in Parliament,” Dr. Bawumia told the crowd, reaffirming his belief in the party’s strength on the ground.
He urged NPP members and supporters to remain united and focused on the task at hand. With the election just a few months away, Dr. Bawumia stressed the importance of continuing the momentum and maintaining unity within the party. “The election is not today. It’s on December 7. But if we continue as we are, and we all come together, by midnight on December 7, you’ll hear that the NPP has won a decisive majority in Parliament. We will win at the polling stations,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia’s comments reflect the NPP’s strategy of focusing on grassroots campaigning and engaging with voters directly at the constituency level. The Vice President has made it clear that the path to victory in December lies in winning the trust and support of the electorate at the polling stations, rather than relying on parliamentary maneuvers or legal challenges.
The events in Parliament on Thursday highlighted the ongoing political tensions between the NPP and the NDC as both parties gear up for what is expected to be a highly competitive election. The declaration of vacant seats by the Speaker temporarily shifted the balance of power in Parliament, giving the NDC a fleeting majority. However, the Supreme Court’s swift intervention restored the status quo, keeping the NPP in control of Parliament, at least for the time being.
As the 2024 general election approaches, both the NPP and the NDC are intensifying their efforts to secure parliamentary seats in key constituencies across the country. For the NPP, Dr. Bawumia’s message is clear: the real battle will be fought at the polling stations, where the votes will ultimately determine which party controls Parliament.
The NPP’s focus on constituency-level engagement and voter outreach is central to its strategy for winning a decisive majority in Parliament. Dr. Bawumia’s confidence in the party’s ability to secure this majority is rooted in his extensive campaign efforts and data analysis, which he believes point to a strong showing for the NPP on election day.
As the Vice President continues his campaign tour, his message to the NPP faithful remains consistent: unity, hard work, and voter engagement are key to securing victory in December. By focusing on winning the trust and support of voters at the polling stations, the NPP hopes to emerge from the election with a clear majority in Parliament, solidifying its mandate to govern for the next four years.
Dr. Bawumia’s rallying call to NPP supporters in Nkawkaw underscores the importance of staying the course and continuing to push for victory at the grassroots level. With just weeks to go before the election, the Vice President is urging his party to remain focused on the ultimate goal: winning a decisive parliamentary majority through the support of voters across the country.
