A former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyapong has advised Members of Parliament hoping to be selected as the running mate of the newly-elected flagbearer not to jump to conclusions.

According to him, historically all those selected as running mates of NPP's flagbearer have never been the projected candidates adding that popularity did not guarantee nomination.

Speaking to JoyNews, he said “People should learn from it, all the running mates that we have had from Adu Boahen to Kuffour to Nana Addo, have never been the obvious choice.

“I am telling you the truth, I don’t know why people even want to be the obvious choice. The more obvious you are, the less likely you are going to be. It is the prerogative and the sole prerogative of a candidate to select his partner."

His comments come in the wake of the naming of a running mate for the NPP flagbearer,Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for the 2024 elections. Although months away, there is a lot of jostling on who will be the next running mate.

Names like the Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the Energy Minister Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, and the Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum are making a strong showing for the role.

However, from experience, the former General Secretary has cautioned these potential candidates not to peak ahead of time.

Also read: Running mate for Bawumia: Tension boils between NAPO and Adutwum’s supporters

Recounting a similar occurrence which led to the nomination of Dr Bawumia as running mate for then-candidate mate Akufo-Addo, he said although Hajia Halima Mahama was projected as the most suitable candidate during the National Council meeting Dr Bawumia was presented.

In view of this, Mr Agyapong advised these legislators to hold their horses and not rush into believing that they would be the preferred choice.

Ahead of the announcement, there appears to be simmering tension among members of the NPP in the Ashanti Region over who will become the running mate to the newly elected flagbearer of the party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.