The Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has appealed for an extension of the timeframe allotted to finalize his choice of a running mate leading up to the 2024 election.
The disclosure was made by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, during a press briefing held in Accra. The announcement came on the heels of a pivotal gathering of the NPP’s National Executive Committee and National Council, convened on Wednesday, December 6.
In accordance with the party’s constitutional mandate stipulating the selection of a running mate 12 months before a major election when the President is not the candidate, the meeting served to address this critical matter.
Dr. Bawumia’s request for an extended period implies a suspension of the party’s constitutional provision, allowing additional time for comprehensive consultations.
During the briefing at the Alisa Hotel, the General Secretary acknowledged the deviation from the original schedule, stating, “Today should have been the day that our party leader and presidential candidate would have introduced his running mate to the National Council.” He elucidated that, owing to the presidential candidate’s election on November 4, 23, there is a need for further consultation before presenting the proposed running mate’s name to the National Council, a decision unanimously supported by the Council.
The Vice President is anticipated to propose a running mate whose overall appeal to the electorate must be endorsed by the assembly.
Notably, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, had previously affirmed in an interview on JoyNews that the party had reached a consensus that the running mate for the party’s flagbearer would be selected from the Ashanti Region, seen as a strategic move for the party’s success in the 2024 general election.
Speculations about potential frontrunners for the position include names like Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (Energy Minister), Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum (Education Minister), and Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu (Majority Leader).
Others such as John Ampontuah Kumah, Deputy Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Ejisu, and Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, have also been circulating as contenders. Additionally, Chief of Staff Madam Akosua Frema Osei-Opare has been mentioned in connection to the role.
