A political analyst is claiming that the choice of running mate for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has turned into a festival of lobbying, with several factions expecting to have their choice selected by the Vice President.
Nana Piesie Anto, who made the remarks, revealed in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM that the lobbying for the running mate has reached an alarming level.
This, he noted, was worrying because it has further confused the Vice President on who to settle on.
One other piece of information he revealed was that the Vice President submitted a name to the party, but the person was rejected.
The Vice President had to then ask for more time to choose a different person.
The party, he added, has also asked him to choose someone who is an Asante and resides in the region.
He stated that although the constitution of he NPP gives the power of the selection of the running mate to the presidential candidate, the process has been hijacked and lobbying has taken over, with different interest groups championing an agenda to have their people selected.
He warned the party to tread cautiously because after the person is finally mentioned, attention will move to the running mate, and before people finish assessing his competencies and whether he is qualified enough, time will have elapsed and the campaign of the NPP will be ineffective.
“The party has told him they prefer a running mate who is an Asante and resides in the Ashanti region. They don’t want an Asante who resides in another region. That is the challenge for them now. When this happens, it infuences the lobbying machinations. The party’s constitution gives Bawumia the power to select a running mate, but it is now a festival of lobbying. Some prefer Frema Opare; others want Yaw Osei Adutwum Twum. The rest want Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh. There are so many lobbying rooms now.
Dr. Bawumia is now confused about who to choose because he does not know who to choose. It has been delayed to the extent that it may affect his campaign because, after the person is selected, attention will be drawn to the running mate, and their campaign may not be effective.
“So when will you select the running mate, announce the person, market the person, and campaign with the person? The centre of attention will move from the candidate to the running, and by the time you realise it, it is too late for the NPP to campaign.”
Rainbowradioonline.com
