By Alhassan M. Murtala-TAMALE

The hunt for a running mate for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, appears to have lessened down to two personalities even as various interest groups are lobbying from different levels; which have been the topic for pondering in some section of the media.

Whiles some specific names have been deliberately thrown out in the public political domain by the NPP to test the popularity or otherwise of each candidate, THE TIDE has credibly information coupled with facts and electoral figures to prove why Nana Addo will not settle on Hon. Ambrose Dery, Member of Parliament for Lawra in the Upper East Region.

The two individuals, Hon. Ambrose Dery, the Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament from the Upper West Region and Dr Mahmudu Bawumia a Banker by profession and from Northern Region have been shortlisted, it remains to be seen which of the two persons will win the heart of whoever is the final determinant or whose name should be put out in the public domain as running mate.

The Deputy Minority Leader, Ambrose Dery, probably the most sought-after position left to be filled for the 2012 election is whose candidacy is being pushed by the Minority Caucus in Parliament, a lawyer who joined the party in 2004 from the People’s National Convention (PNC), has had a swift rise in the NPP and has won a lot of admiration for his exceptional service and loyalty to the party since then

But he brings little to the ticket per the statistics obtained in the 2008 general elections, in the 2008 elections Hon Dery pulled 14,742 out of 67, 98 representing 47.08 percent whiles his closes contended then a member of parliament of that area, Mr Bejamine Kunbour pulled 13, 783 representing 44.02 percent.

It will be recalled that, the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) in the 2008 elections pledge its support to the NPP, consequently filled a candidate in the person of Mr Bede Ziedeng for the Lawra constituency who campaigned seriously against Mr Bejamine Kunbour the incumbent then, Mr Bede Ziedeng who pulled 1,428 representing 4.56 percent that made it every significant in Hon Kunbour lost to Hon Ambrose Dery.

It is very likely that history will not repeat itself as the DFP slowly but surely found its roots back to the ruling NDC, especially when Mr Bede Ziedeng has not made his intentions clear to contest the seat hence will make it very difficult for the NPP to win the seat.

In the Lawra constituency, the 2008 presidential Candidate of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo obtained 11,920 resenting 38.84 percent out of 31,410 whiles Jonh Atta-Mills of the NDC had 18,771 representing 61.16 percent. The Upper West Region where Hon Dery is a native, is made of ten (10) constituencies, Six (6) of which is represented by the ruling NDC, PNC has one whiles the three (3) is represented by the opposition NPP in parliament.

The Muslim/Northern requirement has remained unwavering as an NPP criterion for the choice of a running mate, Hon. Dery a Northerner but not a Muslim is short of the criteria, It will be in the depths of despair should the flag bearer settle of Hon Ambrose Dery as his running mate in 2012 elections bearing in the mind the NPP’s criteria and the little he will add up to the ticket.

Whatever is the case, the break is over and Nana Akufo Addo must contend with the unnerving task of choosing a running mate for the 2012 elections, having had the subject confined to the backburners for a while. Although the prerogative of the flag-bearer, the inputs of other influential members of the party play a part in the final choice of a running mate.

The astute banker, Dr. Bawumia, has made his mark on the local banking landscape, rising to the enviable position of a deputy governor of Bank of Ghana. At the time that he was chosen, many wondered whether he could endure the rather rough life of a typical politician.

A revised situation report suggested subsequently that the flag-bearer could be preparing to announce a name outside the trio as lobbying gathered momentum for the position.

By Alhassan M. Murtala 0244081744