"COVID-19 Not Good Time to Name Running Mate" – John Mahama

The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama says there is no use in naming a running mate for the upcoming general elections amidst the covid-19 outbreak in Ghana.

The conduct of the December 7, 2020 polls remains uncertain as many electoral activities in the build-up to the polls have been indefinitely put on hold due to the pandemic.

Already, the Electoral Commission (EC) has suspended its planned compilation of a new voters’ register which was initially scheduled for April 18, 2020 because of COVID-19.

John Mahama who was elected as flagbearer of the NDC in February 2019, is yet to name a running mate in spite of intense political pressure.

During a live Facebook session to interact with the public on Thursday, April 30, the former president indicated that the NDC will announce his partner at the appropriate time.

READ ALSO:

EC Must Brief Parliament on Preparations for 2020 Elections – Minority

“We are on track. We are not behind time. The party is working assiduously. I have a firm idea who I want my running mate to be and we would name him at the appropriate time. We have timelines that we are working on. We have to build up our national campaign team. We have to name and outdoor our running mate. We have to publish and inaugurate our manifesto. These are all timelines that the party is working on. We are not late at all. The deadline for naming our running mate will be when the Electoral Commission opens nominations somewhere in September and so we do have enough time,” he said.

He continued, “But in the midst of COVID-19, what is the use of naming a running mate? You can’t even outdoor him. The President is encouraging all of us to stay at home and this is not the most opportune time to come out and name your running mate. After I’ve done consultation at the appropriate time with the National Executive Committee and the Council of Elders, we will bring the person; the person who will be worthy of being the NDC’s running mate and who will a significant contribution to the progress and prosperity of this country.” He added.

A number of “big” names in the NDC have popped up for the position of running mate but the party is yet to make an official announcement.

Just a few weeks ago, Mahama, debunked reports suggesting he has selected a running mate for the 2020 general elections.