Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia has issued a strong appeal to President-elect John Dramani Mahama, urging him to call his supporters to order amidst growing reports of violence and unrest across the country.
In a statement released yesterday, Dr. Bawumia expressed concern over what he described as “lawlessness and thuggery” by some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He called on President Mahama to demonstrate statesmanship by addressing the actions of his supporters to maintain peace and stability.
“There have been many incidents of NDC members besieging collation centres with offensive weapons to forcibly declare NDC parliamentary candidates as winners,” he stated. “We believe this is not in keeping with the democratic culture we are all trying to nurture.”
Dr. Bawumia further lamented the violence reportedly targeting members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and individuals perceived to be NPP sympathizers.
“These wanton acts of lawlessness and brutality have been extended to state institutions and public offices, with reports of looting and stealing of state properties,” he said.
He described the situation as regrettable, noting that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process and threatens national unity.
The Vice President also criticized the silence of President-elect Mahama and the NDC leadership, urging them to act swiftly to prevent further escalation.
“I would like to remind President Mahama that he has won an election; he has not staged a coup d’état,” Dr. Bawumia emphasized. “He has a responsibility to contribute to protecting life and property.”
Dr. Bawumia warned that if the violence continues, citizens might resort to self-defense, a development he stressed would tarnish the success of the recent elections.
“The last thing anybody wants is to mar the beauty of the successful elections that have just been concluded,” he added.
Calling for calm and prioritization of national interests, Dr. Bawumia urged the NDC and its leadership to act responsibly and uphold democratic principles.