The recent triumph of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in securing the flagbearer position for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2024 general elections has led to fervent online discussions about his potential running mate.
Dr. Bawumia, who emerged victorious in the presidential primary on November 4, 2023, is set to challenge former president John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) along with several other candidates in the 20204 general elections.
Yet, the identity of Dr. Bawumia’s running mate remains a subject of intense speculation on social media.
No official announcement has been made, prompting many to weigh in on who they believe would be the most suitable candidate to join Dr Bawumia in the upcoming election campaign.
In the wake of the primaries, a list of four possible running mates has surfaced, dominating online debates. These contenders include Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the current Minister of Energy; Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Minister of Communications; Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education; and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central who was also a strong opponent in the race for the party’s flagbearership.
The conversation on the aforementioned individuals was initiated by TV broadcaster Bella Mundi, who posed the question to her audience on her X handle.
“Who among these 4 would you choose to become Dr. Bawumia’s running mate? #ElectionCommandCentre #NPPDecides #NPPPresidentialPrimaries #TV3NewDay.” Accompanying her post were images of the four mentioned personalities, which led to a plethora of comments from the public.
Reactions were mixed, as netizens took to Twitter to express their candid views. User @MrMinp3dede voiced a preference for the fourth option, while others, like @_TheRealManuel, questioned the media’s focus on NPP’s running mate choice when other parties have not received the same scrutiny. Some users suggested regional strategies; @khanboakye noted the regional origins of the candidates, whereas @YawRico hinted at a decision already being made in favour of Dr. Prempeh to win back support from the Asante region.
Others were overtly critical; @DonYussif branded all the options, including the current government, as failures, and @taliban_me took a more combative stance, suggesting the pairing of Dr. Bawumia with Ursula Owusu-Ekuful would be an invitation to criticism.
While some were dismissive of the prospects, such as @agyenim_boaten and @SocratesAPA who called for new faces or dismissed current options outright, a few Twitter users showed support for specific candidates. @Mougio18 and @Waws_tv championed Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, believing he would be a strategic choice for garnering votes. In contrast, @Onyamedehyee88 and others praised Dr. Adutwum as the most capable among the mentioned possibilities.
In a blend of seriousness and sarcasm, some users, like @Youngmilla10 and @NanaWan_gh, played with the implications of certain selections on the party’s fortunes, while @kusiemaame_tw humorously suggested that the incumbent President Nana Addo should be considered as vice.
Benjamin Crabbe (@Hashhtech) speculated that Kojo Oppong Nkrumah could be an unexpected choice, while Gyau Frimpong (@Qwequ7) went so far as to prophesy that John Kumah, the Deputy Finance Minister, would be named the running mate.
Read below some of the comments.
- Kennedy didn’t leave because they’ve promised him vice, you saw it here first
- Replace Ursula with someone else and we can have a convo
- 3rd frame is better but 4th frame will win them the votes.
- Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh. That man’s work is unmatched in the NPP. He knows how to work with people. He managed the education sector well as a minister, now as an energy minister, with all the economic difficulties, our lights are still on. Dr Bawumia should Pick him as his VP.
- If he doesn’t choose Kennedy then NPP is going to opposition
- Ken is the only correct answer. If he gets it, his businesses will expand and he can do more for ppl than he’s doing now. The other businessmen will get on board as well
- If Dr wins, Ken would be made the trade minister.. the battle is b/n NAPO and Adutwum .. and NAPO stands tall
- All of dem be failures including Bawumia, Nana Addo and even yourself(media) for engaging in during these corrupt politicians bidding for dem
- There’s NO other one BETTER than Ken
- None, I think he will go in for Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
