Former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has described calls for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to immediately name a running mate as premature, urging the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to focus instead on rebuilding and restructuring the party ahead of the 2028 general elections.

Speaking in an interview with Joy News Parliamentary Affairs Correspondent, Kwaku Asante, Mr Abu Jinapor stressed that the choice of a vice-presidential candidate was the sole prerogative of the NPP’s elected presidential candidate.

“The choice of a running mate is the sole prerogative of the candidate. It is Dr Mahamudu Bawumia who will make that decision,” he said, adding that although the Constitution requires consultation with the National Council, the Supreme Court has clarified what consultation entails.

He explained that while Dr Bawumia would take views from various segments of the party and society, the final decision rested entirely with him and should be respected.

Mr Abu Jinapor further questioned the timing of the debate, noting that the party had only recently concluded its presidential primary.

“Isn’t it too early? Isn’t it premature? We just had this election, it’s less than a month,” he said, arguing that the party’s immediate priority should be reorganising and strengthening its structures.

Using a metaphor, he noted that the NPP must first ensure that the “horse” Dr Bawumia would ride into the 2028 elections — the party machinery — was fit for purpose, healed, and united to contest with confidence and strength.

According to him, attention should be on rebuilding the party and making it competitive, rather than rushing into discussions about a running mate.

Mr Abu Jinapor also expressed surprise at suggestions that the NPP should complete its ticket even before the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) elects its own presidential candidate.

“Politics is a game of chess,” he said, explaining that the choice of a running mate was meant to complement the presidential candidate and should be informed, in part, by the identity of the opposing candidate.

He warned that naming a vice-presidential candidate too early could put the party at a strategic disadvantage, as the eventual NDC flagbearer would be a key factor in determining the most suitable running mate for Dr Bawumia.

In his view, the issue of a running mate should not arise at this stage.

“I think we should focus on rebuilding the party, supporting the candidate to lead the reforms we require, and putting strategies together to make the NPP winnable in 2028,” he said.

Mr Abu Jinapor emphasised that the question of a vice-presidential candidate would be better addressed later, after the party had stabilised and positioned itself for the next electoral contest.