The Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) and a senior campaign aide to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Sammy Awuku, has revealed that the Vice President will announce his running mate for the upcoming 2024 general elections in June. This announcement comes amid speculations within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and among political analysts about the delay in naming a running mate.
Speaking on Yen Nsempa on Onua FM on Tuesday, May 14, Awuku emphasized that Dr. Bawumia is still within an appropriate timeframe to make the announcement. He cited the example of then-candidate Nana Akufo-Addo, who selected Dr. Bawumia as his running mate in August 2008 for that year’s election. This historical precedent, Awuku argued, demonstrates that the timing of such announcements can vary and is not necessarily a cause for concern.
Awuku assured that Dr. Bawumia has already decided on his running mate, suggesting that an announcement is imminent. He stated, “We are very much within the timeline. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was elected barely six months ago, so we still have time. If you recall, his nomination in 2008 was done somewhere in August. So, for us in the NPP, we are very much within our timelines.”
Awuku added, “It can be tomorrow, it can be next week, it can be next month, it can be three days from now. The flagbearer at this point is very clear in his mind who his running mate is going to be, and when he is ready, he is going to announce that.”
He also noted that Dr. Bawumia’s primary competition in the upcoming elections is not his running mate but rather the NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama. “Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is in a contest with John Mahama. They are the two people who are going to be on the ballot paper, and these are people we have seen before. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s competition, his contest is the former president,” he added.
Awuku confirmed that Dr. Bawumia will announce his running mate in June, putting to rest speculations about the delay in naming a running mate. This announcement is expected to bring clarity to the NPP’s presidential ticket and pave the way for the party’s campaign for the 2024 general elections.
