Lead contender in the New Patriotic Party flagbearer race, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revealed Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will be his running mate if given the nod to lead the party in 2016 presidential elections.

Nana Akufo-Addo made the revelation in the Upper West Region where he opened his campaign for the nomination of the opposition NPP. National Delegates' Conference on October 18.

The party holds its National Delegates' Conference on October 18.

The 2008 and 2012 presidential candidate of the NPP was joined by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia with whom he run for office in the two previous elections

The two arrived at the Upper West Regional capital, Wa, Monday afternoon.

He drove straight to the Upland Hotel where the 32 delegates who gave him an overwhelming endorsement in the Super Delegates' Conference on August 31, were waiting, said Joy News’ Correspondent, Rafiq Salam.

“He is currently locked up in a meeting with them [delegates]. Nana Addo is expected to pass the night here before moving to the Upper East Region tomorrow [Tuesday]”, Rafiq said.

Nana Akufo-Addo also expressed regret about some violence that bedeviled the party in the run-up to the Super Delegates' Conference.

Some supporters wielding machetes stormed the party's headquarters in Accra and disrupted a press conference being addressed by party General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong and Chairman Paul Afoko.

In the August 31 Supper Delegates' Conference, Nana Akufo-Addo polled 80.78% of all 740 votes cast. That election was held to trim the number of flagbearer aspirants from seven to five.

Akufo-Addo's closest contender Alan Kyerematen obtained 59 votes representing 7.98 per cent.

Francis Addai Nimoh and Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Joe Ghartey both obtained 22 votes each which is 2.98per cent of total votes cast, while Kofi Osei Ameyaw managed 16 votes (2.17%) to pick up the last ticket to the October 18 national delegates’ conference.

Former Information Minister Stephen Asamoah Boateng (13 votes) and former Trade Minister Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku (10 votes) dropped out of the race with 1.76% and 1.35% respectively.

The October 18 National Delegates Conference will see more than 140,000 delegates across the country vote to elect a presidential candidate for the presidential elections in 2016.