A former flagbearer hopeful of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Lawyer Elikplim Agbemava, has condemned the vice president’s comments in relation to the former president John Dramani Mahama’s digital conversation.
He said the Vice President must respect his office by holding its integrity rather than peddling falsehood all in the name of politics.
Former President John Dramani Mahama on May 2, had a digital conversation with Ghanaians, during which he said he has a better track record of governance than the incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo led government.
He cited press freedom, a stronger economy, health and road infrastructural development as key things that were prioritized during his administration.
However, in a press briefing, on May 4, 2020, Vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia refuted these claims, advising the former President to always refer to the data available to make his case or risk embarrassing himself.
He said, the government has delivered as much infrastructure in its first term than the Mahama-led government.
Lawyer Elikplim Agbemava, reacting to Bawumia’s response, however, described Bawumia’s the latter’s statements as lies.
In a Facebook post, he said the office of the vice president must be honest with his comments as his office is known to be an honourable one.
He said,” Bawumia is able to lie and remain pompous because of the silence of people who claim to be opinion leaders and moral compasses in our society.”
“Vice President is a deputy to a President. By our constitution he is more or less redundant unless asked to run an errand; all occupants of the office have made it a point to keep it Honorable.” he added.
Below is his full post
Lawyer ELIKPLIM AGBEMAVA Writes;
Bawumia is able to lie and remain pompous because of the silence of people who claim to be opinion leaders and moral compasses in our society.
He and his wife, always have invectives and intemperate language pouring out of their mouths yet nobody from the clergy for example or civil society has issued a single statement of caution. Let somebody dish out his own medicine to him and these so called respected members of society will come shouting on top of Mt Everest. Yet President Mahama has had to endure almost 10 years of disrespect from somebody who should be learning a lot from him.
A Vice President is a deputy to a President. By our constitution he is more or less redundant unless asked to run an errand. Till now though all occupants of the office have made it a point to keep it Honourable.
Aliu Mahama, for example, got himself busy by championing discipline in our society. Amissah Arthur exuded some calmness and self-respect such that no one ever dreamt of insulting him except this hot-headed Bawumia. President Atta Mills and John Mahama’s gentility whilst occupying that seat is very well known.
Must we allow the Honourable office of the Vice President to be turned into an office for total intolerance or a source of intemperate language and lies? The thought of Bawumia or any Vice President having an influence or effect of economic policy success or management is a fiction. The economic policy of any serious government is determined by the cabinet with the president having the overall vision. What is agreed to is then implemented by the Minister for finance and all other sector ministries? The economy is not made up of only facts and figures. Our roads, minerals and the food we eat all form integral parts of the economy. It is not and never be a one man’s job.
Source: TheBBCghana.Com
