Alhaji Boniface Abubakar Saddique, Member of Parliament (MP) for Salaga and Minister for Water Resources Works and Housing, has finally broken his long silence on media speculations that he was being considered for the position of running mate for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party's (NPP's) presidential candidate. The Minister, who has been highly placed among the cream of personalities tipped to partner the NPP's flag bearer told the Crusading GUIDE in an exc1usive telephone interview, that although he has not been informed by anybody of any such intentions, he was more than willing to serve the people of Ghana in any capacity if offered the chance. Boniface, who said he would not praise himself regarding his abi1ities noted that he would rather allow the masses to judge him, adding that "the voice of the people is the voice of God.” He maintained, “A contractor can not praise himself that he is good, but can only be judged by the quality of his works”. He continued that it was true that some elders of the party were involved in discussions in that direction adding, “Why not? Probably they have seen some potentials in me and a combination of that potential, together with Nana's, would make a good chemistry which would enhance our victory in 2008". Asked if he was willing to partner his party's candidate in an event that he was •considered, the affable Minister answered that "I want to ensure that the party stays in office forever so if 1 am assigned a role to boost its cause, why not?" He said it was not only an issue of he deciding for that position, rather it was about an obligation to serve the party and make sure it attains victory in the 2008 elections. The MP continued to argue that it was not just about desires and wishes because it was possible some people end up being liabilities rather than assets if given key positions. When this reporter asked if he considered himself fit for the job, he said, “I consider myself as a good commodity, having seen my track record displayed as an independent candidate and when brought on board to contest on an NPP ticket, it is clear that I am an asset.” Confident about an NPP victory in the 2008 general elections, the MP sataed that his party would definitely win power and hand over to itself. The Minister was one of the five people whose names have been flying in the media as being considered to be Nana Addo’s runnig mate. Apart from Alhaji Saddique, other names making the rounds in the media are the Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama; Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu; the Minister for Information, Ms. Oboshie Sai-Cofie, as well as the Northern Regionla Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Iddris. Although the party's flag bearer had remained silent on the speculations making the rounds, this paper is reliably informed that leading figures within the NPP are engaged in high profiled talks to select a running mate . Our sources within the high echelons of the party have hinted that the NPP was considering the selection of a personality who would be appealing to Northern voters in order to help increase the party's votes in the region. Source: The Crusading Guide