The NDC Running Mate Ananse Stories

We are in that season again and various names are being bandied about as having gotten the nod to become the Vice Presidential candidate of the NDC.

Not too long ago, one newspaper put out the name of Mohammed Ibn Chambas as having obtained the nod. And now another name making the rounds is that of Betty Mould Iddrisu, of the Commonwealth Secretariat who is also the wife of NDC guru Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu.

The Lens is sure that other names will soon be bandied about as well as various speculations are churned out about the much coveted position of running mate to partner Prof Mills.

Some of it may however not be mere speculations but real orchestration by people trying to directly or indirectly push various agendas.

It is all legit as long as these people understand that ultimately it is the prerogative of the flagbearer acting in concert with the leadership of the party to make that choice. Once they can appreciate this and be prepared to respect the eventual choice, then there is no much cause for concern.

The Lens fully appreciates the high interest being expressed in the position. The reason is because, the NDC unlike the NPP, believes that the Veep must be good enough to succeed the President. That is why Prof Mills took the baton from President Rawlings following the traditions of Bush Snr and Al Gore taking over from Reagan and Clinton respectively.

When the NDC for instance opts for a running mate from the north, it does so with the certitude and conviction that he would be groomed to take over in the future. The way Veep Aliu Mahama is being shabbily treated in the NPP race and the scant respect given a man who otherwise should be the favourite in the race shows the deep seated disrespect the NPP has for folks from some parts of Ghana .

It does not need a rocket scientist to realize that the only reason why Aliu is not prominently leading the NPP race is because he does not hail from a certain part of Ghana . This unfortunate situation comes from a dangerous mindset on the part of the NPP that certain groups of people are only good for running mate and no more.

So let the interest in the NDC running mate continue but let all be aware that at the right time the best choice for party and nation will be made.

Until then let the ananse stories continue to be told.