Bawumia Campaign Apologizes to Deputy Railways Minister Over ‘Mistaken’ Snub

The Campaign Team of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has apologized to Kwaku Asante-Boateng, the Member of Parliament(MP) for Asante Akim South in the Ashanti Region who announced moving from Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s camp to that of Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen.

The MP, previously known for his allegiance to Dr. Bawumia, announced this transition on Monday during a gathering of delegates organized by the former Trade Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen.

The event took place at the auditorium of the Church of Pentecost in Konongo, where delegates from Asante Akim North, South, and Central constituencies in the Ashanti region were present.

Mr Asante-Boateng clarified that his decision was motivated by perceived disrespect from Dr Alhaji Bawumia’s team. He recounted an incident during Dr Bawumia’s campaign tour in the constituency when Hon. Isaac Osei and Nana Akomea requested him to extend a welcome to Dr Alhaji Bawumia’s campaign team in Juaso/Asante Akim South.

But while respecting his decision to switch camp, Bawumia’s Campaign Team clarified that despite and after those incidents he now claimed happened, he still went ahead to endorse Bawumia.

That notwithstanding, the team has since apologized saying the snub was a mistake.

Nana Akomea, Campaign Spokesperson explained the sequence of events that probably led to the misunderstanding.

“I have seen a video featuring one Hon David Asante-Boateng, Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem South, and some news portals report on the video. The Hon David Asante-Boateng is heard in the video, announcing his withdrawal of support from Dr Bawumia in favour of Mr Alan Kyerematen. The reason he gave is that some members of Bawumia’s campaign team, including myself, Hon Isaac Osei and Hon Tony Karbo had disrespected him by not shaking his hand as we got down from the campaign bus.

“I left Parliament some time ago, and do not know by face many MPs who entered Parliament after 2012. Indeed the first time l saw Hon David Asante-Boateng was when he was introduced at the event. Anytime the campaign bus stopped at a constituency, there is usually a big welcoming group of people gathered at the door of the bus, to welcome Dr Bawumia. Those of us who get down before Bawumia has to wade through the crowd quickly to pave the way for him” He added.

“In the process of rushing through the crowd, if l had known the MP, I would have made every effort to say hello and shake his hand. At the event, after he had been introduced, the Hon David Asante-Boateng went on to give a resounding speech endorsing Dr Bawumia. It is therefore a complete surprise to see him in a video doing an about-turn, because of an incident that happened before his speech endorsing Bawumia.” He said.

“Be that as it may, l assure the Hon David Asante-Boateng, on behalf of Dr Bawumia ‘s campaign team, that there is no deliberate attempt by the team to disrespect him. And we respect his decision about whoever he chooses to support,” he added.