No Rush On Running Mate - Nana Addo

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has adopted wait and see attitude in the selection of his running mate, saying that it was too early to comment on the issue.

In his first official comment on the thorny issue of running mate which has already sent lobbyists on the prowl, Nana Addo noted that he would engage in broad-based consultation with the party hierarchy before arriving at a decision.

The NPP flagbearer, who was speaking during a courtesy visit to the Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, said no decision has been taken on the issue.

Vice President Aliu Mahama, who gave Nana Addo a warm reception, debunked the perception that the former Foreign Affairs Minister was arrogant, saying Nana is neither arrogant nor insolent.

Alhaji Mahama said he had worked with the flagbearer over the years, and had known him as someone who has respect for hierarchy and rule of law.

The Vice President, who made the statement when Nana Akufo-Addo called on him at his official residence at Cantonments yesterday, stressed that the Abuakwa MP accorded him the needed respect as Vice President.

Nana Akufo-Addo?s visit, the first of its kind since becoming the flagbearer, was to enable him to strengthen his friendship with Aliu Mahama.

Alhaji Mahama, who used the opportunity to introduce his former campaign team to the flagbearer, advised him against hearsay and pettiness since such acts have the tendency to spell disaster for the party and the country as a whole.

Rather, he said, he should open?up and engage in broad consultation to ensure resounding victory for the party in the December 8 crucial election.

?As a great follower and a leader, you must refrain from hearsay since it has its own danger, pettiness and problem. I have been a victim to that and I must tell you, put your ears on the ground,? he admonished.

Alhaji Mahama also asked the flagbearer not to take any hasty decision in his choice for a running mate but do a scientific research for the benefit of the country.

?We cannot afford to lose the elections; we have experienced people and the needed materials, so take your time in your decision and do what is right. Please don?t rush,? he pleaded with Nana Addo.

Describing the campaign as healthy one, he said God gave Nana the honour to lead the great party, and promised to give him the needed support to win power.

He also commended Nana for starting his campaign on a good note.

Nana Addo told Vice President Mahama that he had come to show respect and renew the bond of friendship that had existed between them for the past 15 years.

He showered tons of praises on the Vice President for his competence, humility and good work done over the past seven years, and noted that he still has an important role to play in the governance of the country.

?We cannot go forward without your involvement,? he told the Vice President, and assured him of his cooperation for a better future for the party and Ghana. The flagbearer also expressed his determination to work with party members to tap their rich experience for the betterment of mother Ghana. The Chief Adviser to the Vice President?s campaign team, Dr Kwame Amoako-Tuffuor, praised Nana Akufo-Addo for forging unity.

Consequently, he called on all and sundry to appreciate the unity and open their minds and souls to work together because a lot of work needed to be done.

Nana Akufo-Addo was elected flagbearer of the party at NPP?s December 22 congress at the University of Ghana, Legon.

At the close of over 16-hours of voting and counting, Nana Akufo-Addo obtained 1,096 of the total 2285valid votes cast, representing about 47.97 percent, beating his closest contender, John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen who polled 738 votes, representing about 32.30 percent.