Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the running mate to the 2012 flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has for the first time publicly disclosed reasons why he partnered Nana Addo Akufo-Addo in the last two general elections.

According to him, Nana Addo showed that he was a man of vision, kind-hearted and generous.

Dr. Bawumia disclosed that during their first encounter, he asked the flagbearer why he chose him and the legacy he (Nana Akufo-Addo) planned to leave behind.

Nana Addo, without mincing words, indicated to me that he needed my support to transform the economy of Ghana and in that process bridge the development gap between the north and the south, he said.

Dr Bawumia indicated that he was impressed with the plan to bridge the gap between the north and south so he had no option than to agree to partner him.

The economist said Nana is kind-hearted and committed to the development of the country, observing that the country needed visionary leaders to effectively transform the country.

He said Nana Addo has the ability to improve the country’s economy, which has been mismanaged by the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

“The economy is not a research exercise to be managed through experiments,” he remarked.

The idea of Nana Addo for the establishment of a Northern Development Authority (NDA) as contained in the NPP’s manifesto, he added, was discredited by the then opposition when he first mentioned it.

According to them, the NDC claimed it was unrealistic and mere rhetoric.

But on realizing that it was workable, they turned round and in their usual fashion copied it under the name Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), which they used to steal money with the involvement of persons from the north, he alleged.

Dr. Bawumia assured the people of the north that he would pursue the NDA vision if Nana Akufo-Addo becomes president of the country in order to bridge the yawning gap between the north and the south.

He cautioned the party’s delegates against gambling with the destiny of the party, noting that the former flagbearer stood tall among other contenders and could return the NPP to power.

Dr. Bawumia observed that no political in Ghana has presented a candidate, who has won the elections for the first time, insisting that if Nana Addo’s fails to lead the party in 2016, the NPP would have to wait for 2020.

“We need power in 2016 not 2020, he remarked, insisting that the party won the 2012 elections but was denied victory by its political opponents in connivance with the Electoral Commission (EC).

“I am yet to be convinced the NPP lost the 2012. The court’s ruling did not go in the NPP’s favour, but I am certain God witnessed the injustice done to the party,” Dr. Bawumia observed.

He appealed to all delegates to massively vote for Nana Addo, who he described as incorruptible, trustworthy, loyal to the party and country.

He said the title “Man of Peace” was bestowed on him after he accepted the Supreme Court verdict.