Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Murtala Mohammed has charged Ghanaians to vote for John Dramani Mahama and disregard the fact that Bawumia claims to be a committed Muslim and seeks Muslim votes.
He condemned Bawumia for consistently ‘lying’ which is against the teachings of Islam and urged Ghanaians to vote based on capabilities and commitment and not based on religion.
He made these comments during the campaign launch and a health walk at the Asawase constituency in the Ashanti region on Sunday, August 4, 2024.
Murtala Mohammed praised the MP for Asawase, Muntaka Muhammad, for his principles and contributions to the Muslim community, including securing a befitting place for Friday prayers in Parliament.
He criticised the Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr. Bawumia for his silence on key issues affecting Muslims, such as the denial of rights to Muslim students and the killings in Palestine.
He highlighted former President Mahama’s clear support for the Palestinian people, contrasting it with President Nana Addo’s pro-Israel stance.
Murtala Mohammed called on Ghanaians to vote for Muntaka and President Mahama to ensure a majority in Parliament and “reset” the country.
He emphasised that voting for Muntaka is a collective responsibility, regardless of personal opinions, to support the NDC’s agenda.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”