The delay by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer in naming a running mate for the 2024 election has raised concerns for the party’s success in the upcoming polls.
Dr Kwame Asah-Asante, a Senior Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, has spoken out on the issue, urging Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to quickly name his running mate and avoid unnecessary delays in the party’s campaign.
While Dr Asah-Asante acknowledges the importance of comprehensive consultations before announcing a running mate, he believes that the prolonged delay is unacceptable.
He warns that if the NPP continues to wait, they risk bringing in a candidate who will face a campaign already set in motion, leaving them vulnerable to scrutiny and assessments from opposing parties.
Dr. Asah-Asante emphasizes that time is not on the party’s side, and they must act fast to avoid any setbacks. According to the NPP’s constitution, a running mate should be selected 12 months before a major election if the President is not the candidate.
Given that Dr Bawumia was elected as the flagbearer on November 4, 2023, he should have named his running mate on December 6, 2023. However, Dr Bawumia requested an extension of time for further consultations during a meeting with the National Executive Council (NEC).
Dr. Asah-Asante is urging the NPP to take action now and select a candidate with all the qualities they desire. He warns that the delay is becoming too much, and the party must act fast to avoid any unnecessary delays in their campaign.
The NPP cannot afford to waste any more time on consultations and must take decisive action to secure their success in the 2024 election.
