An activist of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has blamed the defeat of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2008 elections to wrong choice of Dr. Mahmud Bawumia as running mate to partner their flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo. Felix Ofosu Kwakye stated that the selection of Dr. Mahmud Bawumia as running mate of Nana Akufo-Addo flag bearer of the NPP in 2008 set the tone for the party’s defeat to the NDC in 2008. Dr. Mahmud Bawumia, a renowned banker, an economists and former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana was selected as running mate to partner Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2008 general elections. The Nana/Bawumia ticket in the 2008 elections won the NPP 49.32% of the votes; nearly 50% in the first round of the elections. Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Programme Friday, Felix Ofosu Kwakye described Dr. Mohamudu Bawumia as a political neophyte who was a liability to the NPP campaign in 2008. "Dr. Bawumia brought absolutely nothing to the NPP ticket" he added. The NDC activist stated that, Dr. Bawumia lacks the capacity to do serious politicking in the country. Felix Ofosu Kwakye noted that Dr. Bawumia's inexperience in politics was evident in the way he communicated and interacted with both the electorate and the media during his campaign tour. "He could not even couch a simple message for the electorate; he simply did not look like he had it" Felix observed. Felix Ofosu Kwakye counseled the NPP to choose a running mate who is marketable and experienced in politics. However, commenting on the choice of Vice President John Dramani Mahama as running mate to President J.E.A. Mills in 2012, Felix Ofosu Kwakye said the Mills/Mahama ticket is a winning team in 2012. He observed that considering the political experience of Vice President John Mahama which also contributed to NDC’s victory in 2008, it would have been very unwise for President Mills to have changed him. The NDC activist was optimistic that with Vice President John Mahama’s "great impetus" in politics and President Mills’ affable character, NDC would retain power in 2012. Story by Adwoa Gyasiwaa/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana