As the December polls approaches, it is only normal that the public, especially the New Patriotic Party (NPP) fanatics are excited to know the possible running mate of the NPP’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
While some are of the view that the Vice President’s decision is taking too long to make, others think that he is being prudent by applying tact and patience in making the decision.
Admittedly, in finding and naming a running mate, the most important thing to consider is the compatibility of both the flagbearer and the running mate, thus it is understandable the NPP flagbearer is exercising patience with his decision.
Meanwhile, the names speculated so far to be potential running mates to the Vice President are mainly from the Ashanti region. Given that this region is the NPP’s vote bank, it is not only ideal but also smart to consider this region strongly when naming a running mate.
Moreover, the party may also decide to choose its running mate from one of the swing regions, Greater Accra, Central, Western and Brong Ahafo, which it shares with the opposition NDC.
Given the ethnic nature of Ghanaian politics, choosing from a swing region may increase the vote count of the party from that region considering the party half-shared popularity in the swing regions.
The implication of the party choosing from one of the swing regions however, is dire as the party will suffer greatly should it neglect the Ashanti region in selecting a running mate as it did in selecting the flagbearer.
There is also a likelihood that a decision to neglect the Ashanti region once again may not affect extensively the party’s performance at the polls if handled properly. However, it may cause some upheavals which do not bode well for the country either.
“It all depends on the calculation that the party will make but I think that two choices are very possible, either going for your stronghold or a swing region that you share with your major opponent. We all are aware of what happened during the party’s primaries… quite many people were not happy”.
Pofessor Kobby Mensah
Accordingly, to prevent what happened during the Presidential primaries, which saw some stalwarts exiting the party, the party is most likely to choose from the Ashanti region to attempt to appease the constituents.
How Late Is Too Late?
Granted that the Vice President and the NPP makes a decision on where their running mate will come from, based on the North-South scale the two major political parties use in selecting Presidential Candidate and running mate, the party’s present indecisiveness may harm its electoral fortunes.
The facts remain that no matter who the flagbearer and the party choose as running mate, there is bound to be some sort of opposition from party officials and fanatics.
Accordingly, the smart step to take is to name the running mate early enough to give the party some time to come to terms with it. An early naming of running mate will also give the party time to reconcile its internal difference that may arise from the selection.
It is no hidden fact that disunity in political parties affect their electoral presence negatively, as campaigns are not done properly due to shortage of human resources to ensure the party’s victory.
Therefore being prudent and patient in selecting a running mate when there are only eight months to election may not be the smartest action after all as enough time is not given to restore party unity before the polls.
Also, one issue the party and the flagbearer failed to notice is the popularity of the running mate and what that popularity adds to the Presidential ticket.
Consequently, an early naming of a running mate ensures that the party has just about enough time to sell the personality of the running mate to the public and to assure the public of his or her competency.
The failure of the NPP to name a mate early enough gives the party less time to build an image and personality around the running mate which Ghanaians are likely to accept.
Conclusively, the failure of the NPP to produce a running mate even with barely eight months to go to the polls, which is also against the party’s constitution, is unlikely to grant the party any positive electoral fortunes in the Presidential election come December.
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