Bawumia Did Not Give Money To Delegates to Vote for Him - Sammi Awuku
Sammi Awuku, a senior adviser to the Bawumia Campaign Team and Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, has rejected allegations that the campaign distributed money to delegates to influence voting during the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primaries.
His response follows claims from some delegates at certain voting centers. They said coordinators from specific flagbearer camps promised them cash. In videos circulating on social media, several delegates alleged they were waiting to receive GH¢700 from the camp of Dr Bryan Acheampong before casting their votes.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, February 2, Mr Awuku said he was not aware of any payments made to delegates by the Dr Mahamudu Bawumia camp prior to voting.
“I haven’t been part of any meeting where we agreed that monies should be given to delegates. If it’s about ferrying somebody from one point to the voting centre, I don’t think that is part of buying the votes of delegates,” he told host Bernard Avle.
Mr Awuku warned that inducement poses a serious threat to democratic processes when financial incentives influence electoral decisions.
“Where I think it is wrong is when it becomes the focus on which a decision to vote is made; then it becomes very dangerous to our democracy,” he said.
Addressing claims that the Bawumia campaign may have provided money for transportation, he added that any such support did not come from the campaign’s central structure.
“Maybe not from the centre that I know of, unless people decided to support on their own,” he noted.
He cited his own constituency to illustrate the difference between logistical support and vote-buying.
“In my constituency, they will tell you straight that our MP provided us with a bus to convey those coming from far places. So, I supported them to come and vote,” he explained.
Mr Awuku stressed that delegates were free to make independent choices at the polls.
“I was clear in my mind, and I told them to vote according to their conscience,” he added.
He concluded by urging the Presidential Primaries Committee to investigate the allegations and allow all camps mentioned an opportunity to clear their names.
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Source: CitiNewsRoom
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