<<Print>>

Even before the Supreme Court determines the case before it in the historic election petition hearing currently ongoing, a popular opinion is swelling up within the rank and file of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), as to who should lead the party in the 2016 elections. Dr. Bawumia, running mate to Nana Addo Danqua Akufo-Addo in the 2012 general election, has come up more strongly as the likely candidate to lead the NPP in 2016, depending on the outcome of the Supreme Court hearing. Dr. Bawumia�s role as the second petitioner in the ongoing hearing, and his astute delivery on the dock, is beginning to earn him an admirable position in the hearts and minds of members of his party, and even some opposition members. Dr. Bawumia�s only hurdle would be Alan Kyerematen, who has managed to form a colossal imagery as Nana�s automatic successor in the minds of many NPP supporters. Alan Kyerematen, who lost to Nana Addo twice in a contention for the flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party, has been lurking behind the scenes to launch with some more precision when the opportunity presents itself, and to many, the timing cannot be more accurate than now. When Alan�s nomination came up on the candidates list for the World Trade Organisation top job, many who were frightened at his ambition to annex the seat of government almost jumped into jubilation hoping that the job would take him off his ambition of contesting the presidency. But, the emergence of Dr. Bawumia as a new darling boy on the block, according to political pundits, is one indication Alan cannot afford to overlook. Last weekend, the former Member of Parliament for Asikuma-Odobeng-Brakwa and a senior member of the New Patriotic Party, P.C. Appiah Ofori�s announcement of his open support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the party�s flagbearer in the near future, according to political watchers, only confirms the swelling support Dr. Bawumia is gaining each time he mounts the dock to defend the party. Mr. Appiah Ofori justified his endorsement on the fact that Dr. Bawumia had so far distinguished himself through the sterling performance he has put up in court in the ongoing petition. Mr. Appiah Ofori�s open declaration has become more significant, on the fact that he had once been a critic of the choice of Dr. Bawumia as running-mate to Nana Addo in previous elections. When the bell tolls for a new face to lead the NPP, Dr. Bawumia is sure to stand equal with Alan Kyerematen in a battle of wits and popularity within the NPP.