Accra, Jan 25, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Friday appealed to its members, supporters and well-wishers to desist from soliciting, pressuring or, in any way, attempting to waylay the process of giving the Party a running mate.

It said the party would choose a candidate who would merit a status being sought for and would be acceptable to voters of political, ethnic, gender, geographic and other persuasions. A statement issued by Mr. Peter Mac Manu, National Chairman of the Party in Accra, said the NPP was happy that everything it did, and every move it made, aroused the interest and concern of a preponderance of the Ghanaians population.

It said the Party was thankful to "those individuals and groups who are calling for the Party and its Flag bearer to name a running mate for the 2008 elections now."

The statement said, "In many instances, there are speculations about who are likely to be selected." "However, the Party and its Flag bearer want it understood that naming a running mate at this early date is not one of the Party's top priorities.

"This is not because the NPP does not regard the exercise as important, but because, like everything the Party does, it is allowing its Flag bearer time to carefully and systematically go through necessary consultations, reviews and other relevant activities that will enable him to select for the approval of the Party, a Vice Presidential nominee who is judged to be suitable by any standard." The statement said the NPP was mindful of the concerns of all sections of the Ghanaian community and would not disappoint them in the choice of its Vice President.