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A New Patriotic Party (NPP) firebrand, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has said any attempt to relegate the 2008 running mate of the party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to the background as the flagbearer weighs his options for a suitable vice presidential candidate, could spell doom for the main opposition party. Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe told Citi News his support lies with the former deputy governor of the Bank of Ghana as the NPP goes on a wild hunt for a fitting running mate ahead of the 2012 general elections. The former Ghana Ambassador to Serbia said Bawumia has been tried and tested and that gives the largest opposition party an added advantage in next year�s polls. �I would be very much surprised if Akufo-Addo refused to pick his running mate and I�m talking about Bawumia because what has he done to warrant his drop? He is the right person to partner Akufo-Addo,� Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe pointed out. However, a senior member of the party, J. H Mensah, thinks otherwise, saying Nana Addo must not direct his thinking towards the three northern regions alone, but should have an open mind towards other parts of the country. Hon. Mensah said time is running out for Nana Addo to make a decision and should avoid committing the same mistake of making a last minute choice in 2008 that led to the selection of Dr. Bawumia. He said choosing a running mate from the three northern regions with a sole aim of achieving ethnic balance is not the way to go. According to Hon. Mensah, what the party needs is a capable person irrespective of where he or she comes from. But speaking to Citi News, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe advised Nana Addo against dropping Dr. Bawumia. �Dr. Bawumia to me performed very well,� Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe said. �He is somebody who has not been known within our ranks and when he was introduced most of us were surprised. However, the gentleman proved himself to be somebody who knows what exactly he is about. � He added: �He was excellent in the debate among the vice presidential candidates and was on top of issues.