Stop lobbying Bawumia to be his running mate; it’s disrespectful – Ursula

The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West constituency, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has expressed her disapproval of the idea of lobbying to be the running mate for the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

Such actions, according to her, are disrespectful and undermine the decision-making authority of the Presidential nominee.

In an interview with Bernard Avle on the Citi Breakfast Show, the communication minister emphasised the importance of allowing Dr Bawumia the freedom to make his choice without external pressure.

“Let him be given the space to choose the person he best thinks can partner with him. I think it is even disrespectful for people to be lobbying as if he can’t make his own decision,” she stated.

She continued: “Is that a position you lobby or gamble for? I am absolutely against any active seeking of any such position. It is an appointed position. I think the flagbearer should be left and given the space to decide who he thinks can best partner him.”

She urged the public to desist putting pressure on Dr Bawumia to nominate his running mate.

“It is an appointed position and I think the flagbearer should be left alone and given the space to decide who he thinks can best partner him and boost his chances in the election.”

Calls for the NPP’s flagbearer to nominate a female running mate have intensified in recent times with the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare’s name being mentioned in a list that includes the Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund, Naa Torshie.

Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said though people may speculate her name as being interested in the position, she has never approached anyone expressing interest.

“People may speculate my name but I have not told anybody that I am interested in any position. If the flagbearer thinks in his wisdom that I can assist him, why not?

“No media person can ever say anywhere that I have contacted him to put my name out there or anybody for that matter. I think the flagbearer should be given the space to choose who he thinks can best partner him. It will be great if a female is chosen and I made this call eight years ago.”