Private legal practitioner and Upper East Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Lawyer Anthony Namoo, has argued that given that the presidential candidates of the two dominant political parties in this year’s election are both from Northern Ghana, it would be wise to choose the candidate who has the potential of serving for a longer time.
Mr. Namoo noted that between Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Bawumia, who is more competent, is constitutionally allowed to serve two four-year terms, whereas John Mahama can serve only one four-year term.
“If the trophy [of the Presidency] is coming to the North, you have to give it to somebody who will be there for a long time,” Mr. Namoo said in an interview with A1 Radio earlier this week.
He expressed optimism that the NPP will make gains in the upcoming General Elections, especially with regard to the parliamentary elections.
He stressed that despite enormous challenges to the party’s progress in the region, the NPP is making major ‘incursions’ and would have an improved performance in this year’s General Elections.
The Upper East Region is traditionally a stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). The NPP currently holds one parliamentary seat while the NDC holds 14 seats. Notwithstanding this, the Chairman is confident that the parliamentary elections will tilt in the NPP’s favor this year.