Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye, a former speaker of parliament, has supported the idea that the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) primary voting base, the Ashanti Region, should choose its running partner.
Given the importance of the area within the party, the NPP Council of Elders member supported the mounting calls in an interview with TV3.
“It seems that there is a broad perception that it would be acceptable and sensible to balance the ticket if we had a candidate from the Ashanti Region—the party’s breadbasket. It is crucial to take that into account in the calculation as a result,” he said.
Although the NPP’s constitution does not specifically require a balance of regions in the choice of running mates, historical precedent and party custom have frequently favored candidates from various regions for the presidency.
Prof. Oquaye gave other instances, including Albert Adu Boahen, who selected Roland Issifu Alhassan as his running mate from the north; former President John Kufour, who chose Aliu Mahama; and current President Nana Akufo-Addo, who selected Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Prof. Oquaye emphasized in his advice to prospective candidates the value of keeping a cordial working relationship with the president and steering clear of rivalry.
He underlined the necessity of having a running companion who will not serve as a co-president and who is not seeking the presidency in order to prevent personality conflicts.
