A former Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Kwesi Yankah, is calling on the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to give the party’s flag bearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the freewill to select whom he wishes for his running mate.
The Professor says former flag bearers of the party were given that space to choose whoever they deemed worth their partnership, and same should be accorded the Vice President.
In a post made on Facebook Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the former Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education bemoaned what he described as the shifting of a goalpost when the presidential candidate was chosen from the north.
“A Kufuor suffered no such plight; his choice of Aliu Mahama was quietly done on his own terms. Mahmoud’s own selection as running mate by Nana Akufo-Addo for 2012 and 2016 elections, was without drama and suspense. Never a threat of fire and brimstone. What’s new? Are we shifting the goalpost for a ‘Tani’ flag bearer?” he quizzed.
He criticised the threats coming from various groups demanding that a particular candidate be selected for the running mate. The educationist sees the development as an exhibition of tribalism in another form, asking the elders of the party to put their foot on the ground.
“Have the rules changed? No, it’s rather the times. Tribalism has returned in another cloak. The great party has elders who should step in and boldly put the house in order. Huge gains made in the past year, may dissipate in thin air should the choice of running mate be foisted on Mahmoud Bawumia.
“The message should be simple. The party will respect their flagbearer and not denigrate his person or preference. Mahmoud should not be reminded of his status as ‘Tani’ so-called and made an exception to prevailing rules. Having been duly elected as flagbearer, he has the right to even say, ‘I have made a decision; it’s One or even None of the Above.’
The open campaign for running mate, public name dropping, blackmailing, and veiled display of tribalism must stop,” he urged.
