The First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has joined calls for Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s running mate to be chosen from the Ashanti region.
This comes after intense competition among some New Patriotic Party Members of Parliament over who will partner with the newly elected flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
So far, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has emerged as the Minister for Energy, Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu, and Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum.
In an interview with JoyNews’ Evans Mensah, Mr Osei-Owusu confirmed that it is widely agreed that the running mate for the newly elected party’s flagbearer will be chosen from the Ashanti region.
The Bekwai MP, who is also expected to be the running mate, believes it is the only way for the party to win the 2024 general election.
“It is generally agreed in the party that if Bawumia wins, his running mate should come from the Ashanti region,” he told reporters.
When asked if Dr. Bawumia had agreed to the agreement, he said, “I think so.”
The First Deputy Speaker stated that he believes the ideal candidate for the position should possess values such as integrity and command respect both within and outside of the party to complement those of the new leader.