Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akomea, has ruled out any significant objection to Nana Akufo-Addo’s nomination of his running mate. Insiders believe the NPP flag-bearer is likely to name economist Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as his running mate on Thursday, but others envisage similar rancour and internal wrangling that greeted his nomination in 2008. Some within the party, especially MPs, are also rooting for Deputy Majority Leader Ambrose Dery. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Wednesday morning, Nana Akomea said the flag-bearer has done extensive consultation to avoid any major fallout. “If there is a significant objection, the party will also look at where its best interest will lie. But usually you will not find significant objection because, the flag-bearer will not spring up a name as it were, by surprise. He would do extensive consultation with members of the national council so the name that he’s going to produce will be assured that there is a certain consultation around that name.” Dr Bawumia’s candidature has been criticised by some party stalwarts including former Senior Minister, J.H. Mensah and P.C. Appiah-Ofori. His opposers argued that his candidature in 2008 did not bring enough votes to the ticket of the party. Economist and lecturer at GIMPA, Dr Theophilus Richardson noted: “People voted for Nana because of Nana’s candidature and the NPP. I don’t think the Bawumia factor counted so much… we cannot put a specific rate on his candidature… I did not see any particular strong point of Bawumia being elected or selected as the running mate.” But speaking on Metro TV, Kwabena Adjapong, a former press secretary to ex-President J.A. Kufuor, said the criticisms against Dr Bawumia were unfair. “There is no scientific research to back all this kind of talk,” he noted. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia arrived at the Kotoka International Airport at approximately 8:15 pm on Tuesday to a rousing welcome. He would, however, not answer whether he was in town for the announcement of his selection, maintaining that the party structures mandated to choose a vice-presidential candidate must not be pre-empted.