In line with Article 45 of the NDC Constitution, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has become the first significant political party to notify the public through a press release that its presidential candidate has formally informed them of his running mate’s nomination on February 27, 2024.

The issue with the way the NDC Press Release was worded is that, based on my own experience, the person John Mahama has chosen as his running mate had to be invited, offered, and accepted the nomination before it could be announced.

In my case, on September 3, 2000, Vice President Mills informed me that he would not run for the NDC presidential nomination if his nomination of me was not approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Council of Elders. Mills had to present his running mate to the NDC that same afternoon.

This was prior to the time when Prof. Mills had to convince me to accept the nomination by going to see Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, the present Chairman of the NDC Council of Elders. On the same day that the nominee was proposed and accepted, Prof. Mills’ choice for running mate in the 2004 election was also authorized and made public.

On December 24, 2007, a situation arose within the NDC that resulted in conflict: Victor Smith, a close friend of mine, President (Captain) Blaise Compaore, was invited by former President Rawlings to a discussion about going on a mission to Burkina Faso on his behalf. I insisted that he investigate whether Prof. Mills had actually made the offer to the nominee.

On December 26, 2007, I picked up my return ticket to Ouagadougou at the KIA for the mission. However, I didn’t find out until December 30, 2007, when I got back, that the former President had been turned down when he went to make the inquiries.

I had pushed him. Following the rejection of former President Rawlings, the nomination was extended, sparking a fierce dispute within the NDC.