Pollster Ben Ephson believes it is in the interest of the NPP 2012 Vice-Presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to contest for flagbearship of the party as speculations mount on the future of his boss, Nana Akufo-Addo.
He said a Bawumia campaign could be used to gather support for the twice-defeated New Patriotic Party Presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, if he decides to contest in the presidential primaries slated for next year.
He was commenting on posters circulating in some parts of Accra showing the 2012 Vice Presidential candidate printed on the background of party colours wit the inscription “Bawumia for 2016”.
His aide, Anthony Karbo, has dismissed the posters as the handiwork of their political opponents, the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The NDC’s Deputy General Secretary, George Lawson, has also responded saying they have no fear of the “mate” Bawumia because the “driver” Nana Akufo-Addo could not win last year’s presidential elections.
But assessing the chances of Dr. Bawumia, the Editor-In-Chief of the Daily Dispatch, Ben Ephson, suggested that he has nothing to lose if he contests for the 2016 flagbearership of the party.
He told Joy News, campaigning is not the same as contesting since nominations has not officially opened.
In effect, Dr. Bawumia could start gathering a support base for himself if the man who picked him as his running mate does not contest.
Nana Akufo-Addo is currently out of the country to reflect on his political future after he again lost out in an attempt to unseat President John Mahama through the courts citing fraud in the 2012 presidential polls.
Whiles he contemplates, Dr. Bawumia could help by canvassing support to be offloaded to his boss if he finally contest, as a lobby within the NPP are pushing for.
Dr. Bawumia has been touted as a formidable candidate to challenge John Mahama in 2016 after he gained a boost in his popularity when he appeared in a televised presidential election petition hearing at the Supreme Court.
He is listed by Ben Ephson among 15 possible contenders for the ticket of representing the party in 2016 when the country goes to elect a president.
