Political scientist, Dr Kwame Asah-Asante, has expressed the need for the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to choose a running mate from the Ashanti region.
According to him, although there have been several names in the media on who could potentially be a running mate, the party and Dr Bawumia must be strategic in such critical decision.
He revealed that the Ashanti region is a good place to get a partner for the NPP flagbearer because that is where the party gets a chunk of its votes.
However, Dr Asah-Asante stated that if the NPP chooses someone from any other region where the party’s support is low, it will not inure to the benefit of the party.
“If you look at this, we have started hearing arguments and conversation about the fact that it will be given to somebody from the Ashanti region – I support that call… For Ashanti region, the mainstay of the NPP, if you pick a running mate from that place it’s good.
“But the issue is that the criteria people are talking about, even though I have not heard from the party because I know this decision ought to come from NEC and national council with the support of the candidate concerned, so it’s not a very simple matter…:
Dr Kwame Asah-Asante
Elaborating on the right person to help Bawumia, Dr Asah-Asante quizzed whether those canvassing for support for people in other regions are party chairmen so as to pull people and encourage them to vote.
He highlighted that the party needs the popularity of the person as well and must consider whether the person has any baggage which might affect the chances of the party winning the election.
“…If he has heavy baggage, I’m afraid it’s going to weigh heavily against him. You need somebody who can rub shoulders with John Mahama and the rest of them. So, it’s a tall order.”
Dr Kwame Asah-Asante
The choice of a running mate
Meanwhile, a presidential staffer, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has revealed that at the right time, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, will select the running mate.
He indicated that the campaign is over, and the flagbearer has the mandate now to look around and select a running mate he can comfortably work with in the interest of the party and country. The decision, he highlighted, is entirely the decision of Dr Bawumia.
“In the same way, the candidate also moved around to go and campaign, in this case, he is a delegate so others will also come to him and campaign for him and make a case. But for the NPP, at least in recent times, the last two Vice Presidents, if you followed it closely you will realize that lobbying doesn’t count.”
Dennis Miracles Aboagye
Emphasizing his point that lobbying doesn’t count in the choice of a flagbearer’s running mate, Mr Aboagye stated that when it came to the decision of ex-President Kufuor on how he selected Aliu Mahama, all the people whose names were flying around did not come close to his ultimate selection.
Additionally, he recounted that Dr Bawumia also, during his campaign, told the story of how he became the running mate to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. To this end, he urged the public to await the decision from the flagbearer and the party.
“So, I think we should leave it to the flagbearer, it is too early. We shouldn’t try to ambush him in doing things at this time. When he is ready, I am very sure he is going to select a running mate that will be in the interest of the party and the country. But we should allow people to aspire and dream and lobby and campaign.”
Dennis Miracles Aboagye
READ ALSO: 2024 General Election, A Contest Of Record Comparison
