The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has given its flag bearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, extra time to broaden his consultations in order to select his running mate for the 2024 general election. The decision was made during a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Council (NC) in Accra yesterday to discuss potential running mates for the flag bearer.
It is consistent with the NPP’s constitutional requirement that a running mate be chosen at least 12 months before a major election if the President is not running.
However, after Dr Bawumia’s recent election as flag bearer, the party leadership has decided to abrogate this criterion.
The party’s National Council, which has the authority to deviate from party norms, agreed to Dr Bawumia’s request to choose his running mate later.
This means Dr. Bawumia will have more time to weigh his options and select the best candidate to be his running companion.
The constitution of the party
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, told journalists following the meeting that the National Council agreed with the flag bearer’s proposal.
“According to our constitution, specifically Article 13 (32)- “the vice presidential candidate shall be a known and active member for at least five years and shall be nominated by the presidential candidate at least 12 months before the general election when the party is not in government or the president is not the candidate.”
“However, the National Council may waive this requirement in exceptional circumstances.”
According to the article’s reading, today should have been the day our party’s leader and presidential candidate introduced his running mate to the national council.”
“However, upon request from the presidential candidate that because his election was done on November 4, 2023, he needs a bit of time to continue with his consultation before he brings the proposed name for running mate to the National Council,” he told reporters.
Possibilities available
So far, names that have emerged within the NPP inner circles include Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Energy and Member of Parliament (MP) for Manyhia South in the Ashanti Region, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, MP for Bosomtwe in the Ashanti Region, and Joseph Osei Owusu, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and MP for Bekwai in the Ashanti Region.
The choice of a running partner is a key decision for any political party, and the NPP’s commitment to sticking to its constitutional timeframe illustrates the value put on meticulous consideration and strategic planning.