Never in the history of the Danquah Busia Tradition has the selection of running mate debate assumed such national character. From the North to South, West to East, the million-cedi question has been who gets the nod? It is against this background that some of us have decided to join the chorus. However, I would like to state emphatically that this message is not meant to solicit, canvass or run down any aspirant but to "state it as it is" 1. Sole Prerogative Nana, the constitution of the New Patriotic Party clothed you with the right or privilege to decide on your own choice of Running Mate. Hence, an instant-made-President in the most unlikely event. Many Political Commentators are of the view that choosing a Running Mate is a mere academic exercise which could be anyone after all, it is the caliber of the Presidential Candidate that matters most. However, I beg to differ on this sweeping statement since the modem trend of politics coupled with the complexity it has assumed tells you that your choice should be someone popular with your party faithful and has real geographical base in order to bring ‘a refreshing menu’ to the larger table. After all, the Akans say se wo bebo dam a efiri fie (charity begins at home). This point is further buttressed or reinforced by what we are witnessing of my brother John Mahama, whose nomination has been a great asset so far as the fortunes of NDC is concerned. Whatever Prof Mills lacks is being complemented by John from the North. 2. Lacuna Nana, as a renowned constitutional lawyer, you bear me out that one area of your party’s constitution which the framers did not dilate much on is the position of the Vice-President whose mandatory term in office comes to an end and intends to go in for presidential slot. However, I will not begrudge them much since the political climate at that time was that ‘let us get to the river first, and once there we would know how best to cross it.’ Nana, your choice may some how help to address any discourse which nearly bevisited your great Party when his Excellency Aliu Mahama decided to contest for the Presidency. Some aspirants through their surrogates even went further to undeservedly criticise the President for not having prevailed on the Vice-President to stand down in his quest since to them he was 'plucked' from nowhere because he was not in frontline politics but a giant in our wilderness. If we claim to have modeled our constitution which has been tailored to meet our local situation on that of the Republican Party of America, then His Excellency Aliu Mahama's matter would not have arisen at all. Nana, with your choice, please be mindful of whether your running mate is prepared to go with you after your mandatory term or stay behind with your blessing to ensure congenial transition. 3. Multiple choices Nana, today the sky is the limit when it comes to picking a running mate by your party. Gone are the days when NPP was perceived to be majority Akan\Ga\ few selected northern areas Party. From North to South, East to West, the Guans encompassing Gonjas, Krachis, Twumurus, Anum, Boso, etc and the minority Akans like Ahantas, Sefwis Wassaw and others are now part of this "big empire," hence widening your scope of choice. 4. Tradition Vrs responding to political chemistry of the day On the issue of running mate, the choice has always been making a quick pilgrimage to our traditional political enclave of Dagbon. History furnishes us with Victor Owusu (Kwabena Pie of blessed memory) and Tolon Na Yakubu Tali, Paa William Ofori Atta and SD Mahama, Professor Adu Boahene and Rowland Alhasan, Kufuor and Aliu Mahama. Hence, Nana if tradition is anything to go by then your final stop should be the north and Dagombaland should be your happy home. The names that immediately spring into mind are Hons. Alhaji Malik Yakubu Alhassan and Idris Mustapha. They are the most accomplished senior materials who have been around for sometime dating back 1992. The choice of Dagomba is being discarded by few faithfuls of your party because they are Abudus. Are we practicing politics of alienation (exclusion) or inclusion? Is it a crime to be born Abudu or Andani due to that unfortunate incident resulting in the death of our great chief Ya Na Andani and forty others? Are we facing reality or dwelling solely on political expediency which has no foundation now in view of current peace existing between our sisters and brothers from both Abudu and Andani gates? When were the Abudus pronounced guilty of being responsible for the death of our great chief? Nana, be bold and take a cue from your would-be-predecessor by laying to rest the ghost of Dagbon by picking a descendant of Gbewa. The road map is now clear with the wonderful job performed by the group of eminent chiefs. The choice of a Dagomba will carry further the reconciliatory process and unite them rather than the non-proactive stand still being propagated by some few. On this note, my number one choice is Malik Alhassan who suffered or became an unfortunate sacrificial lamb as a result of Ya Na’s death by resigning his position as Minister of Interior in 2002 in the larger interest of the Party, only to be rehabilitated three years later as Second Deputy Speaker after the late loss of his bid to be re-elected Speaker in 2005. By far he stands tall among all our northern politicians. And after him comes the senior brother Idris Mustapha. It is worthy of note that the ten constituencies of Dagombaland remains the most dominant group of people in the whole of the three Northern Regions, hence the "base" is already there for the total support you need and never hesitate. 5. Alternative Northern Choice Nana, if you decide not to pick from Dagbon, then your mighty lens must zoom towards Mamprusi or Gonja lands. My first port of call shall be Narilegu which has been part of our tradition since time immemorial. The support base of two constituencies are there and the Mamprusi today pride themselves of their beautiful middle aged Lawyer and Minister in the person of Hajia Alima. Some senior members of our tradition are of the view that my sister Alima needs little time to fully mature. Secondly, taking cognizance of the new grounds broken by his Excellency J.A. Kufuor of having brought our brothers and sisters of Kusasi lineage as last batch of diners, it will be politically suicidal if not a swipe in the face to settle on the Mamprusi. To them, the current fracas or skirmishes between Mamprusi and Kusasis makes her case untenable. They further ask if it is rational to go for six constituencies for two? Nana this argument may however, be rebutted since the action spot is Bawku and anybody well versed with the present conflict is aware that the whole thing has historical antecedents rather than any recent phenomena. Intermarriages make them one people and the choice of Alima will not be an aberration so far as I am concerned. Nana, I have intentionally left out our brothers and sisters from Kusasis and Kokombas because they need further political acclimatisation in the Danquah-Busiah traditional fold. Nana, this same yard stick has been applied to Upper West, the home region of all great northern politicians of our tradition, namely S.D. Dombo, Jato Kaleo, B.K Adama, Abayifa Carbo etc. which today could boast of only one parliamentarian. Nana, if not Mamprusi, then your great Gonjaland could provide the alternative choice. The Gonja have six constituencies of which the biggest ones - Damongo and Salaga - owe their allegiance to NPP via Hons. Sofo and Boniface Saddique. Our main political rival NDC has strategically chosen a Christian son of Gonjaland. However, in the land of Gonja, the most dominant religion is Islam. Also coupled with this is the fact that, the Gonjas rank second to the Dagombas in terms of population. Fortunately for us, Nana, the two distinguished aspirants that have emerged from Gonja land are both Moslems in the person of Boniface and Alhaji Jawula [Lepowura.] The nomination of either of them will counteract any possible threat likely to be posed by John Mahama. The traditional base is well grounded. Whilst Alhaji Jawula is an experienced and accomplished technocrat who could rise to any occasion, Saddique is my number one choice in view of his political apprenticeship over the seven years. I feel the descendents of Jakpa the Warrior, our great chief of Salaga provides the better alternative in the absence of Gbewaa royals. However, Alima can never be easily discarded. Lone Ranger Nana, another forceful name that has come into reckoning since I embarked on this expedition has been my brother age-mate learned friend Rashid Bawa, the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and former Parliamentarian of Akan Constituency in the Volta Region who is also a Moslem. His bid appears to be decimated by lack of a regional or ethnic support since his region has been the political waterloo of our Party. However, what he lacks is compensated for by his shrewdness and extraordinary attraction. Nana, if the criteria being considered are anything to go by, being Moslem and of northern antecedents, then Rashid also fits into the cap. Political Chemistry\Southern Mate Nana, if you decide to break the tradition, then you have one obvious choice of choosing a southerner in the person of Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen. As demonstrated at our 22nd December 2007 conference, he emerged as your second best to none. He has certain unique qualities which others are envious of, like his humility, captivating posture and popularity throughout the country. He is one man who women will vote him against a woman candidate. And the people from that region feeling that they hold the trump card so far as our tradition is concerned may want their man to come within the first four highest citizenry of the State. In the absence of Alan, then Nana, my mum Mrs Gladys Asmah really comes into the picture. She is one strong woman with a lion’s heart. If dedication and loyalty are rewarded, then she is one of the rare gems. People talk of her age but my admonition is that, go to America and ask Vice President Dick Cheney how old he is? Was he not the current American President's father's Secretary [Minister] for Energy? People should give us a break on this age matter, since wisdom goes with age. As for my sisters Oboshie Sai-Cofie and Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, they should bide their time a little since the number four citizenship of the state is occupied by her Ladyship Georgina Theodora Wood who incidentally happens to be a Ga. Nana, you can still pull a surprise since you are as free as the biblical damsel to develop your own breast by choosing an outsider having regard to the precedent set by J.A. Kufuor. Conclusion Etwie ba, etwie nana (Akropong and Kyebi), Amoatia Ofori Panyin's descendant, your distant uncle Ote Kokooso Seitu (Otumfuo Osei Tutu) via your Oyoko lineage (matrilineal) whose ancestral home is Kokofu Asantemanso as you confessed on the day you were introduced to Manhyia, are all eager to hear from you. For you have never faulted and with political pedestal anchorage provided by your late father and your two uncles who are among the Big Six, I say adieu till we converge at Sekondi. Author: Opanyin Yaw Baah [The author is a Former Youth Organizer, NPP UK and Northern Ireland Branch and sitting MP for Kumawu.]