Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the NPP, has come under fire from Alan John Kojo Kyerematen, the founder and leader of the Movement for Change, for what he sees as undermining the office of the vice president and its authority in his pursuit of becoming the country’s president.
He contends that Dr. Bawumia cannot merely abdicate the office’s executive authority to pursue a presidential candidacy.
In a February 13, 2024, interview with Oyerepa TV, he stated that the vice president cannot represent himself as only a driver’s partner with no power or obligation in the nation’s governance.
He declared, “As a vice president vying for power, you should not undermine the vice president’s executive authority.”
In a lecture on February 7, 2024, the vice president explained his position as vice president by using the example of a driver and a passenger.
“If, by the grace of God, you make me president, I will be in the driver’s seat with constitutionally mandated authority to pursue my vision and my priorities,” he said, even though he was currently the driver’s mate.
However, after serving for around eight years in office and being involved in numerous significant choices and initiatives, Alan Kyerematen noted that this was a disappointing comment from Dr. Bawumia.
In his role as vice president, he said, Bawumia was able to contribute at the highest level and claimed responsibility for the majority of the government’s accomplishments, including digitalization.
He then questioned why Dr. Bawumia would subsequently appear before the public and claim to be nothing more than a driver’s companion. This contradictory signal, in his opinion, might harm his credibility and reputation.
