The Minister of Communication and Digitalisation Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, is appalled by the pressure being mounted on the flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, by lobbyists to select their preferred choice as running mate.
According to the Ablekuma West constituency legislator, such actions are disrespectful and undermine the autonomy of the presidential nominee.
During an interview, the Communications Minister stressed the importance of allowing Dr Bawumia to choose his running mate without outside influence.
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“Let him be given the space to choose the person he best thinks can partner with him. I think it is even disrespectful for people to be lobbying as if he can’t make his own decisions.
“Is that a position you lobby or gamble for? I am absolutely against any active seeking of any such position. It is an appointed position. I think the flagbearer should be left and given the space to decide who he thinks can best partner him,” she said.
She believes Dr Bawumia should be given the space and absolute prerogative to make his choice of running mate.
“It is an appointed position and I think the flagbearer should be left alone and given the space to decide who he thinks can best partner him and boost his chances in the election,” she noted.
With Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia positioned as the party’s flagbearer and various preparatory measures underway, such as the establishment of campaign teams, attention is now directed towards the pivotal task of selecting a running mate.
This decision has sparked intense lobbying within the party, particularly within the Ashanti Region.
Analysts frequently mention several individuals as potential candidates, including Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Joseph Osei Owusu, and esteemed clergyman and former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Prof. Opoku Onyinah.
Furthermore, Chief of Staff Frema Osei Opare, the Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund, Naa Torshie and Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekulful have emerged as notable contenders in the running mate selection process for Dr. Bawumia.
But Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said though people may speculate her name as being interested in the position, she has never approached anyone expressing interest.
“People may speculate my name but I have not told anybody that I am interested in any position. If the flagbearer thinks in his wisdom that I can assist him, why not?
“No media person can ever say anywhere that I have contacted him to put my name out there or anybody for that matter. I think the flagbearer should be given the space to choose who he thinks can best partner him. It will be great if a female is chosen and I made this call eight years ago,” she stressed on Citi FM.