The demand for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's running mate to be selected from the Ashanti region has gained support from First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu.

It is reported that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is witnessing intense competition among its Members of Parliament vying for the position alongside the newly elected flagbearer, Dr. Bawumia.

Notable names in consideration include Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister for Energy; Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Leader; Joseph Osei-Owusu, First Deputy Speaker; and Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Education Minister.

During an interview with JoyNews' Evans Mensah, Mr. Osei-Owusu affirmed the general consensus within the party to choose a running mate from the Ashanti region.

According to the Bekwai MP, who is also a potential candidate for the position, this decision is deemed crucial for the party's success in the upcoming 2024 general election.

“It is generally agreed in the party that if Bawumia wins, his running mate should come from the Ashanti region," he said.

Asked whether Dr Bawumia has consented to that agreement, he replied "I think so."

The First Deputy Speaker expressed his belief that the ideal candidate for the position should embody certain values, including integrity. He emphasized the importance of selecting an individual who commands respect both within and outside the party, aiming to complement the leadership qualities of the newly elected party leader.

According to him, even though the candidates mentioned so far to be jostling for the position meet the criteria, “they aren’t the only group of people who are eligible to be nominated and I think that the field is wide.”

Asked why he is taking himself out of the equation although rumoured to be a candidate, he said: “I think that we should allow the man the space to look at the whole game board and select.”

“I agree that the person must come from the Ashanti region because, in our party’s dynamics, it would help a lot to select from the Ashanti region,” he said.

He explained that the selection of a candidate from the Ashanti region would give “the people in the region confidence that the party values their immense contribution to the party.”

In the meantime, Sammi Awuku, a member of the Bawumia campaign team, has dismissed speculations suggesting that Vice President Dr. Bawumia is actively contemplating his choice for a running mate in the 2024 elections. During an interview on Joy FM's Top Story on Monday, November 7, he clarified that the Vice President is not in a hurry to announce his running mate.

According to him, Dr Bawumia is an extremely analytical person and consults broadly on issues, and so “he would be taking the views of people he knows and when he is ready, when the time comes, he would pick the right man.”

“For now, let me issue a disclaimer. The Vice President has not discussed with any member of his inner team or bigger team about his choice that he would be recommending to the National Council,” he clarified.