Running mate slot not a reward for second place – Miracles Aboagye

Speculations that Dr Bryan Acheampong’s strong showing in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer race could automatically earn him the running mate slot has been firmly dismissed by the camp of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

Dennis Miracles Aboagye, an aide to the NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has said that placing second in the contest is not a factor in choosing a vice presidential candidate.

“The selection of the mate is purely the prerogative of the candidate, in consultation with the National Council,” he said on Channel One TV on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

His comments come amid growing social media debates suggesting that Dr Acheampong’s performance has boosted his chances of becoming Dr Bawumia’s running mate ahead of the 2028 Election.

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Aboagye explained that while several considerations go into the decision, rankings in the internal contest are not necessarily the measure.

“There are several criteria that come into play. One of them does not include becoming second or third in the contest,” he stated.

He added that all aspirants who contested alongside Dr Bawumia remain potential options, but not a guaranteed choice.

“All the aspirants we ran with Dr Bawumia are people who could actually be running mates, but not because they ran with him and they were second or third or fourth,” he said.

According to Aboagye, the final decision rests with Dr Bawumia, who will be working with the party’s National Council, guided by key indicators aimed at winning the election.

“It is a prerogative of the candidate in consultation with the National Council. When the time is due, the indicators will be used to ensure that the right person, the best person, is selected to run with Dr Bawumia to give us the outcome that we want as a party,” he noted.

Dr Bawumia won the NPP flagbearer contest with 56.48 percent of the votes, while his closest challenger, Kennedy Agyapong, finished second with 23.76 percent.

NA/VPO

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