I want to see an Alan/Bawumia ticket if... - Kofi Jumah

Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Maxwell Kofi Jumah is gunning for an Alan Kyerematen/ Mahamudu Bawumia ticket ahead of the 2016 general elections.

He said the Alan/Bawumia combination will be the best alternative for the party should Nana Akufo-Addo, the 2012 presidential candidate of the party decide not to contest the flagbearership position.

Kofi Jumah’s comment comes on the back of calls on Akufo-Addo to lead the party in 2016.

Akufo-Addo, after the Supreme Court dismissed his election petition to unseat President Mahama, says he will take a break to consider his political future.

However, lobbyists within the party are pushing for him [Nana] to contest again.

NPP General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, and Ashanti regional chairman, Frederick Freduah Antoh have openly endorsed Nana Akufo-Addo as the party's next presidential candidate.

They believe a third chance for Akufo-Addo will be a one touch victory for the NPP in 2016.

However, Kofi Jumah on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme on Thursday said the endorsement of Akufo-Addo is "ill-timed".

According to him, following the party’s defeat in court, members are not in the right frame of mind to decide who should lead them in 2016.

"Members should be given time to lick their wounds after the unexpected Supreme Court judgement before we talk about choosing a flagbearer," he stressed.

Kofi Jumah underscored the need for the party to rebuild party structures especially at the grassroots to ensure a resounding victory in 2016.

This not withstanding, the former Asokwa MP said if Nana Akufo-Addo decides to contest, "he should be allowed to go unopposed".

"There is absolutely no doubt that Nana is extremely popular in NPP and his performance in the 2012 elections shows he is popular nationwide. I am yet to find out who comes close to Nana Addo in terms of popularity in NPP," he stated.

Kofi Jumah maintained that despite Akufo-Addo's age, he will be the "oldest and smartest president Ghana will ever have".

On the Alan/Bawumia ticket, he explained that given Alan’s political experience, he should be the flagbearer with Bawumia as his running mate.

Alternatively, Kofi Jumah suggested that the two [Alan/Bawumia] should contest the flagbearership slot so that who ever gets the highest votes would be the flagbearer.