With just a day left for him to present his choice of running mate to the National Executive Council of his party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party, has appealed to the rank and file of the party to accept in good faith whoever gets the nod to partner him to run for the presidency in the December election. "I want to assure all party faithful that the final decision on the issue of my running mate, which will be taken in consultation with the National Executive Council, will be done in the supreme interest of our party and the entire nation. I, therefore, believe that whoever will be selected at the end of the day will be hailed by all true supporters of the NPP," he stated yesterday. Nana Akufo-Addo was addressing over 500 women activists of the party who had stormed his East Legon residence to show their solidarity and support for the reported desire of the NPP flag-bearer to choose a woman running mate, most likely Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister for Women and Children's Affairs. The NPP presidential candidate claimed the democratic credentials of the ruling party do not permit any individual to impose his will on the party, explaining further that it was for that reason that the issue of selecting a running mate had been characterised by broad based consultations, even though the party's constitution confers on him as the flag bearer, the prerogative to select his running mate. Nana Akufo-Addo tasked his party faithful to rededicate themselves to the cause of the party, and work conscientiously to ensure a resounding victory for the NPP in the December elections. NPP has done enough to deserve the mandate of the people again. Let's remain focused and campaign vigorously to make the electorate understand the need not to vote to return the NDC to power. We are moving forward; no turning back," he added. According to Afua Kyerewaa, NPP Chairperson for the Akuapem South constituency, the women had stormed the residence of the party's flag-bearer to debunk the claim that women in the NPP were against the choice of a woman as the party's running mate. "We do not want Nana Akufo-Addo and others to be under the illusion that women of this great party of ours do not support the choice of a woman as a running mate. We are here to put to rest the negative propaganda that women of the NPP do not support the idea of a female running mate," she added. On the claim that a woman's candidature will not appeal to Northern Muslims, the women contended, if a country like Pakistan with a conservative Muslim population could elect a woman as Prime Minister, what prevents us from doing a similar thing?" The women further urged the top hierarchy of the party to resist the temptation of imposing a choice of running mate on the party's presidential aspirant, cautioning that any attempt at imposition would not be in the interest of the party. Source: Statesman