NPP Running Mate: 'Give Bawumia breathing space, the pressure on him is too much' - Hackman Owusu

Hackman Owusu Agyemang, the Chairman of the Council of Elders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), expressed concern about the pressure on the party's flagbearer, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to select his running mate for the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

He emphasized the importance of the flagbearer, as their name appears on the ballot paper, and suggested that Dr. Bawumia should have the freedom to choose a running mate whom he believes will contribute to the party's success on December 7, 2024.

Owusu urged party members to refrain from adding unnecessary pressure on Dr. Bawumia and allow him to conduct consultations before making a decision on his running mate, as reported by assaseradio.com.

He stated, "The pressure on the NPP presidential candidate from the media and others is unwarranted. He [Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia] is the one whose name will be on the ballot paper. I don’t believe elections are won by vice presidents; they play a role, but we should give Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia the space and time to consider all options, travel across the country, and consult properly before deciding on his running mate."

Owusu continued, "I appeal to our [NPP] members, and to the nation, that Dr. Bawumia needs room to go through the process, and the pressure on him is unnecessary. We should not push him so hard."

Potential running mates mentioned include Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, Vice-Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST); Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh; and Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.

NPP General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua stated that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will announce his running mate by the end of July.

During an interview on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Kodua emphasized that the decision on the running mate will be made before July.

"I have had discussions with many individuals, including Dr. Bawumia. It is clear to me that we announced our running mate in August previously, but it did not benefit us. This time, as we aim to 'break the 8', we must avoid repeating past mistakes," he remarked.

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