There’s no gainsaying the fact that the certified dead goat, John Dramani Mahama, is in a dilemmatic state following the choice to partner him for another inevitable defeat in the hands of the NPP, this time round, against Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
He is in a quandary about whether to remain faithful to Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang or throw her into the sea to be swallowed by the wilderness associated with politics.
People are jostling for the position, with some lurking in the shadows while sponsoring their assigns to throw in word for them in the media.
Names have popped up; Eric Opoku, Julius Debrah, the former Chief of Staff, Kwame Awuah Darko, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, Alex Mould and of course, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang.
There are many in the NDC who believe the ticket of Naana Jane as running mate in 2020 did very little for the NDC. Her inclusion made very little impact in terms of the presidential numbers in the Central Region.
Another demerit she carries with her is her age. Oftentimes, when presidents retire, in the unlikely event that the NDC wins 2024, the Vice President, fills in the vacuum as presidential candidate, as it is happening in the NPP as well, Jane would be too old to carry the mantle as flagbearer of the NDC in 2028. This is being used against her heavily.
Some also argue that she is not well versed in the issues of the party and does not know so much about the nuances in leading a party like the NDC. She will neglect the grassroots and the youth in the party, hence she should be rejected.
If the incompetent one changes her too, the Central Region may get angry and vote against the NDC. A classic case of Jane adding nothing substantial to the votes of the party and the party losing votes in the region if JM severs ties with her.
Eric Opoku is from Ahafo, but Ahafo votes NPP and will never change its voting pattern even if he becomes the running mate to Mahama.
Julius Debrah comes across as a nice gentleman but Eastern Region would not be swayed by his elevation as the running mate to JM.
Neither Kwame Awuah Darko nor Alex Mould can change the minds of the people of Ashanti Region who believe the NPP is their blood just as Asante Kotoko.
However one looks at things, John Mahama faces a herculean task selecting a partner to slug it out with Dr. Bawumia in the 2024 elections. The Dead Goat is in a confused state and is struggling to see things clearly.
P.K. Sarpong, Whispers from the Corridors of the Thinking Place.