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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is yet to announce its running mate after electing their flagbearer. Arguments and discussions concerning the NDC running mate selection has risen over the past weeks.
The opposition party elected its flagbearer the previous year and has since then not revealed their running mate. During the party’s primaries held on Saturday, 13 May, 2023, Mr. Mahama emerged winner in the flagship race. The former president swept 297,603 (98.97%) of the total valid votes casted hence, emerged flagbearer-elect of the NDC.
The NDC elected their flagbearer in the second quarter of 2023 but is yet to reveal its running mate for this year’s general elections. The opposition party believes that they have the necessary requirements to win the 2024 elections. Counter to this, the ruling party (NPP) argues that the party is yet to provide their running mate after nine months of electing a flagbearer, emphasizing on the NDC’s “incompetency”.
The opposition party however debates that the selection of the flagbearer’s running mate requires enough time and deliberations by the council of elders of the party. According to them, the flagbearer will have to critically analyze his options. In order to make a choice that will ensure the victory of the party ahead of election 2024 and also a running mate who possesses all the qualities to serve him, the party and Ghanaians at large.
After weeks of deliberation and considerations, the party’s Communications Director, Sammy Gyamfi in an interview revealed that the flagbearer has submitted his nominee to the council of elders of the party and is yet to receive approval. He said that the decision needs to be finalized subject to the advice of the Council of Elders and The National Executive Committee (NEC). He stated that the flagbearer’s choice would resonate with the entire nation.
Amidst the discussions concerning the NDC running mate selection, three final and potential candidates came up for discussion.
Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman, an educationist and the vice chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa. She was the former vice chancellor of the University of Cape Coast. Jane served as education minister for the country on the ticket of the NDC in after the 2012 elections. The Professor hails from the Central Region of Ghana. She was also the running mate for Mr. John Dramani Mahama. During the December 2020 general election; however they failed to win the elections. People believe she is fit for the position of running mate to Mr. Mahama prior to election 2024.
Julius Debrah former chief of staff during Mahama’s administration (January 2013- January 2017) is also a potential candidate of choice for the NDC running mate. He hails from the eastern region. Finally, Mr. Kwame Awuah- Darko. The third son of the late Nana Awuah- Darko Ampen I, the Nkosuohene of the Asante Juaben traditional area in the Ashanti region. He is a businessman and a banker. He also hails from the Ashanti region.
Political analysts have stated that the party will have to select a running mate strategically. They elaborate that the running mate should be able to pull votes for the party. The individual should be a gear in pulling votes from the strongholds of the party as well as that of the NDC’s.
However, the NEC has released a communiqué. Which stated that “a meeting of the Council of Elders will convene at 11:00 hrs. On Thursday, March 07,2024 to deliberate on this significant matter”. They stated that the party is confident that the running mate selection will complement their vision ahead of election 2024.
Below is the communique
Citizens are eager to know who will be the running mate to former president, H.E. John Dramani Mahama ahead of the 2024 general elections. They await an official communique from the party after the NEC’s meeting scheduled for March 7th, 2024.
By; Annabella Araba Essilfie.
