The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its 2020 flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama have been advised to opt for a female running mate from either the Greater Accra or Volta regions.
Dr Amakye Boateng, a Political Science lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), explained that the choice and region are strategic for the party to regain the one million votes it lost in the 2016 general elections.
“A female choice of Vice President would make the NDC more attractive and appealing to more women, especially now that the party looks more united after their last Saturday’s presidential primaries,” Dr Amakye said.
Albeit he said the other political parties could also choose a female presidential flag-bearer or female presidential running mate, the NDC, at the moment, is more assuring to annexing power than the others.
What the NDC hierarchy and John Mahama, the flag-bearer elect, ought to do is to keep the political tempo at the grassroots high to encourage them to work harder than they did in 2016.
“Among other factors that worked against the NDC in 2016 was apathy, and should the party keep the current positive high tempo at all the branches, they are assured of getting their disgruntled supporters back,” he added.
For example, with reference to a statement he attributed to Togbe Afedzi of Asogli State, Volta Region, Dr Amakye advised the NDC to unite their front and ensure that they do not disqualify anybody who files to contest in the party’s parliamentary elections.
“The NDC need to avoid disqualifying any member to go independent, as it would split the party’s votes in the 2020 general elections.
“If the party learns from their 2016 mistakes, their chances of forming the next government is high. John Mahama’s victory last Saturday was telling and, for me, the percentage was evident that the party want Mr Mahama, who is their best choice,” Dr Amakye concluded.
By: Umar Sheriff/awakenewsonline.com