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A former Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Harona Esseku has alleged that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia�s bid to be chosen again as running mate to the party�s flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has been scuttled by some party executive. Mr Esseku told Citi FM that Dr Bawumia�s lobbying was scuttled by party executives in his own Walewale constituency. However, Mr Esseku has backed down on the interview granted to the radio station, saying that he did not know that he was on air and it was against the party�s gagging order on public pronouncements regarding the running mate issue. Dr Bawumia is currently the World Bank Resident Director in Zimbabwe. According to Mr Esseku, the constituency executives who oppose Dr Bawumia�s second coming accused him of neglecting the constituency when he was made Nana Akufo-Addo�s running mate for the 2008 elections. Mr Esseku added that Dr Bawumia and two others, whom he wouldn�t name, have been lobbying for the position of running mate to Nana Akufo-Addo. �Bawumia wanted to come again but he has realized that generally he was not welcomed. There are other two people who I don�t want to mention their names because they are prospective candidates. I took part in deciding that they should not lobby or make known their interest until June-July (2012). �I heard from very reliable sources and the impression is that some of the constituency officers from Walewale were not interested in him coming again. The chairman and the secretary who spoke to me from the constituency said they were not interested in his coming,� the former NPP chairman said. The party has set July 2012 to choose a running mate to partner Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the general elections later that year. Mr Esseku said the decision was a unanimous one taken by the party. Some groups have started lobbying for certain individuals such as former Minister of State at the Interior Ministry Nana Obiri Boahen and Alan Kyerematen, who lost the NPP presidential primary, to be chosen as Nana Akufo-Addo�s running mate. Meanwhile, another founding father of the NPP party, Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has endorsed the party�s decision to choose a running mate six months before the 2012 elections, saying it is in the right direction. One-time NPP Chairman Harona Esseku caused a political furore during the Kufuor regime when he leveled abrasive allegations against the presidency. The allegations were considered out of place and outrageous.