Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the 2024 Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former Vice President of the Republic, is reportedly monitoring developments surrounding the detention of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, despite being out of the country.
An aide to the NPP leader, Krobea Kwabena Asante, confirmed in a social media post that Dr. Bawumia is actively engaging party executives and leaders behind the scenes in efforts to resolve the matter. “Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is not in town but monitoring events and working things out with party executives and party leaders. God willing, he will return tomorrow and likely to visit the innocent Chairman Wontumi. Free Wontumi Now! This is persecution and not prosecution,” the post read.
Chairman Wontumi was arrested earlier this week and remains in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) after allegedly failing to meet the conditions set for his bail. EOCO, in response to growing concerns, maintained that bail had not been denied arbitrarily but rather due to the suspect’s inability to satisfy the requirements.
The situation has sparked strong reactions among the party’s base, particularly on social media, where platforms have been flooded with posts bearing the slogan “Free Wontumi Now.” Party loyalists have expressed outrage, describing the detention as politically motivated harassment.
Other have gone as far as issuing warnings of political retaliation, vowing to remember what they term “state-sponsored persecution” should the NPP regain power in the near future.
