The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has extended the timeframe for its flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to choose his running mate for the upcoming elections.
Traditionally, the party’s constitution mandates the selection of the vice-presidential candidate one year prior to elections. However, given Dr. Bawumia’s recent election as the flagbearer, the party leadership has decided to waive this requirement.
The National Council of the party, vested with the authority to make exceptions to party rules, has approved Dr. Bawumia’s request to delay the selection of his running mate.
This grants Dr. Bawumia more time to assess his options and choose the most suitable candidate to be his running mate.
Following a national council meeting on Thursday, the General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong Kodua, stated that the council supported the flagbearer’s request.
“In line with our constitution, particularly about article 13 (32)- ‘the vice presidential candidate shall be a known and active member at least five years and shall be nominated by the presidential candidate at least 12 months before general elections when the party is not in government, or the president is not the candidate.’
The National Council may, however, dispense with this requirement under special circumstances. From the interpretation of this article, it presupposes that today should have been the day our leader of the party and our presidential candidate should have presented his running mate to the national council.”
“However, upon the request from the presidential candidate that because his election was done on the 4th of November 2023, he needs a bit of time to continue with his consultation before he brings the proposed name for a running mate to the national council,” he explained.
