I have decided on my running mate already – Prez. Mahama

• Posted on October 21, 2015
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

PRESIDENT JOHN Dramani Mahama, who is the leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated that he has already settled on the person that would partner him as running mate for the 2016 elections.

He however refused to make the name of that person public, despite being pushed to the wall by the media, stressing that at the appropriate time he would announce the name of his veep to the entire country.

“I know the person that will partner me as running mate for the 2016 presidential elections; in fact, I have decided on that person already,” President Mahama retorted when asked about who would be his veep for 2016.

DAILY GUIDE learnt that even though there are calls for the current Vice President, Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, to be changed, Mr Mahama is still maintaining the team for party cohesion.

Speaking in an interview with Garden City Radio in Kumasi on Monday, the NDC leader stated that even though he was contesting for the presidential slot unopposed, the party needed to confirm him first before he could announce his running mate.

There have been reports, especially emanating from the corridors of the ruling NDC, to the effect that President Mahama would drop Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur for a new person during the 2016 polls.

President Mahama explained that the NDC had laid down structures with regard to the naming of a running mate for elections, and that he would respect the party’s laid down regulations.

“I will name my veep in consultation with the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Council of Elders of our great party after the party has confirmed me as the presidential candidate for the 2016 elections,” he pointed out.

Amissah-Arthur

President Mahama disclosed that he had had a fruitful working relationship with Vice President Amissah-Arthur so far, disclosing that there had not been any animosity or acrimony between him and his vice.

Describing Amissah-Arthur as an “effective veep,” he said his administration had benefitted immensely from the expertise of the vice president, especially on matters relating to the economy.

“He is very technical when it comes to matters about the economy,” President Mahama said about Amissah-Arthur, recounting how he (veep) had helped him steer the affairs of the state so far.

According to him, Amissah-Arthur particularly held the fort well during his (Mahama’s) numerous travels as ECOWAS chairman, especially during the outbreak of the deadly Ebola disease.

100% Target

President Mahama disclosed that he was aiming to secure a staggering 100% votes during the November 7, 2015 NDC presidential primary.

“I want to win 100% during our upcoming NDC presidential primary,” he confidently stated amid laughter, indicating that winning big at the primary would prove that the party had total confidence in him.

The president expressed appreciation over the NDC’s decision to expand its electoral college, which has now made it possible for every registered party member to cast his/her ballot during party polls.

He said he had recognised, during his tour of the country lately, that the NDC had been energised following the expansion of the party’s Electoral College.

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi