?NO PROBLEM FOR ALIU?, Kufuor?s 2004 Running Mate

NPP General Secretary, Dan Botwe has said that though the second coming of Alhaji Aliu Mahama as NPP running mate is not automatic, indications are that he would get the nod.

On other issues, he said the NPP does not need kickbacks from contractors to finance its 2004 electioneering campaign.

Mr. Botwe raised both issues on Adom 106.3FM on Wednesday when he was asked to comment on two reports in the Ghanaian Chronicle and the Accra Daily Mail. The Chronicle had reported the worries of some northerners and NPP faithfuls about alleged "plans to ditch" Vice President Aliu Mahama, citing The Heritage's lead report of May 21 entitled "Kufuor's headache".

Botwe said that the actions of the party's officials are guided by the NPP constitution which enthrones democracy at all times.

He pointed out that in spite of President Kufuor's position, he was not allowed an automatic walk over as the NPP's candidate for 2004.

In accordance with the constitution, he stressed, nominations were opened and President Kufuor was only acclaimed when he emerged unopposed at the close of nominations.

Consequently, the position of a running mate cannot be also automatic, the NPP General Secretary said. The party's law, he said, requires the presidential candidate to go before the National Executive council (NEC) and agreed with them on his choice.

But Mr. Botwe calmed all palpitating NPP hearts by recalling the time-honoured wisdom in "not changing a winning team".

He said "agreement was gradually building up within the party" that if Kufuor and Mahama worked effectively from ground zero to the Castle in 2000, then they should not be put asunder.

On the ADM report quoting a contractor that they are inhibited from giving money to the NPP because of its zero tolerance policy, Mr. Botwe said the NPP did not depend on contractors' kickbacks to win power in 2000 and would do so again without them.

He said the party has its own timetested means of raising funds which they were still tapping.