The search for integrity within political circles as running mates is even a headache for presidential candidates themselves – Haruna Babangida
The Broadcast Journalist and CEO of Blackpride Multimedia Consult has opined that the search for running mates for presidential candidates is a headache to themselves. This is an insinuation that corruption has engulfed if not all, most of the figures in the political circles.
According to the YFm radio broadcaster, all the presidents except Late Prof. Mills within the 4th Republic looked outside the political circles when they were choosing their vice presidents.
The current president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo chose Vice-President Bawumia, Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings chose Late Prof. Mills, Ex-President John Agyekum Kuffour chose Vice Aliu Mahama. Today, Ex-President John Mahama has done the same by choosing Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the former Minister for Education and former Vice-Chancellor for the University of Cape Coast.
“When the then-presidential candidate Nana Akuffo Addo was looking for a running mate in 2008, he looked outside the political circles, same applies to Ex JJ Rawlings and Kuffour (Prof. Mills is the only exception here). Today, the Ex-President Mahama does the same (beyond the political circles).”
It could be observed that all the Vice-Presidents above were not mainstream politicians. This, Haruna Babangida insinuates there is no much trust within the political circles regarding integrity.
“What I deduce from this; the search for integrity within that circle has become a headache for they themselves.”
The selection of Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang is really a shock to the nation as no one predicted. A lot of potential figures were suggested and predicted to have taken up the position. Even when it was revealed, people doubted and flagged the news as mere speculations.
It took long for the main opposition party NDC to come out with the running mate to the presidential candidate. That, perhaps, affirms Haruna Babangida’s insinuation that the party had a long list of potential figures and had to take time to fish out for the most integrity to help lead the party.