The Daily Guide newspaper reports that it has information indicating that Mr. John Mahama, the darling boy of the National Democratic Congress has turned down the offer to partner Prof. John Evans Atta Mills in the 2008 elections. Acocording to the paper, sources close to the Kuku Hill Campaign office of Prof. Mills said the Bole/Bamboi MP and NDC Director of Communications told the flag bearer that he would not be available to serve as his running mate because of outstanding engagements. Not even party founder Jerry John Rawlings' persuasion could make the Bole/Bamboi MP change his mind. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs is on his way to enrolling for a doctoral programme outside the country. John Mahama, who recently returned from the African Parliament in South Africa, was not available for comment after several attempts by Daily Guide to speak to him. The former Communications Minister in the NDC regime has reportedly told his constituents to look for a replacement for his seat since he would not be available for next year's parliamentary election. However, sources close to Hon. Mahama said the Bole MP only used the excuse for further studies to say no to Prof Mills, indicating that he has little faith in the NDC flag bearer's ability to win the 2008 presidential election. With John Mahama out of the race, the search has now been narrowed down to former running mate, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni. Prof Mills is expected to announce the name of his running mate any moment from now, with mounting pressure from party founder, Jerry John Rawlings for him to do so. Mr. Rawlings in recent times has been pushing the flag bearer to name his running mate in order to add vim to NDC's campaign to recapture power. The former president had called several meetings at his Ridge Residence, which Prof Mills mostly failed to attend. According to Mr. Rawlings, the NDC flag bearer's campaign has so far not been appealing and therefore needs a running mate to give it more bite. Alhaji Murrumi, former MP for Kumbungu and Minister for Employment and Social Welfare during the NDC era, has not hidden his desire to take another shot with the flag bearer. He was said to have added only a few Andani votes to the 2004 ticket. A day after Alhaji Mumuni was introduced to the party at a rally in Cape Coast, he was involved in a midnight accident, the mystery of which remains unresolved to date. He was confined to a hospital bed throughout the campaign period, except for a few instances when he disregarded doctors' advice and joined the campaign with the aid of clutches. Now fully recovered and active, Alhaji Mumuni says he is ready to take his rightful place in Mills' campaign, which is already beset with infighting and power struggle. Prof Mills has shortlisted five persons including John Mahama; Alhaji Mumuni; Betty Mould-Iddrisu, wife of former Defence Minister, Mahama lddrisu; and Gilbert Iddi, former Northern Regional Minister. Source: Daily Guide