The selection of a running mate for New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will not be based on an aspirant’s placement in the party’s recent presidential primaries, according to Dennis Miracles Aboagye, an aide to the flagbearer.
Speculation has been rife, particularly on social media, suggesting that Dr Bryan Acheampong’s impressive performance in the flagbearer contest could position him as a frontrunner for the vice-presidential slot ahead of the 2028 general elections.
However, speaking on Channel1 TV on Sunday, Mr Aboagye dismissed such notions, emphasising that finishing second, or in any other position, in the internal race does not automatically qualify anyone for the running mate position.
“The selection of the mate is purely the prerogative of the candidate in consultation with the National Council,” he stated.
He further explained that while several factors are considered in choosing a running mate, placement in the primaries is not among them.
“There are several criteria that come into play. One of them does not include becoming second or third in the contest,” Mr Aboagye added.
The aide stressed that all aspirants who contested against Dr Bawumia remain potential candidates for the role, but not on the basis of their ranking in the race.
“All the aspirants we ran with Dr Bawumia are people who could actually be running mates, but not because they ran with him and they were second or third or fourth,” he clarified.
Mr Aboagye reiterated that the final decision lies with Dr Bawumia, in consultation with the NPP’s National Council. He said the choice would be guided by key indicators aimed at ensuring the party’s victory in the 2028 polls.
“It is a prerogative of the candidate in consultation with the National Council,” he said, adding that “when the time is due, the indicators will be used to ensure that the right person, the best person, is selected to run with Dr Bawumia to give us the outcome that we want as a party.”
Dr Bawumia was officially declared the NPP flagbearer for the 2028 elections by the Electoral Commission after securing 56.48 per cent of the total valid votes cast in the primaries held on January 31, 2026.
His closest rival, former Assin Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong, placed second with 46,554 votes, representing 23.76 per cent of the total. Dr Bryan Acheampong came third with 18.53 per cent.
The NPP flagbearer and his yet-to-be-announced running mate will lead the party’s campaign in the 2028 general elections.