By Dennis Peprah
Wenchi (Bono Region), July 6, GNA – Dropping Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, a.k.a NAPO, as the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) running mate for the 2028 general election would be politically suicidal, Mr Richard Kwadwo Adu, a leading member of the party in the Wenchi Constituency of the Bono Region, has stated.
Dr Prempeh, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South in the Ashanti Region and former Minister of State, was the running mate to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s presidential candidate in the 2024 general election.
Mr Adu, a former NPP Youth Organiser in the constituency and a candidate contesting the Wenchi Constituency Chairmanship position, described any attempt by the party to replace Dr Prempeh as politically “inexpedient and immature.”
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Wenchi, he said that despite the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 election, Dr Prempeh remained the best complement to Dr Bawumia if the party hoped to regain power in the 2028 polls.
He explained that the 2024 election had not only increased Dr Prempeh’s political visibility but had also made him a household name across the country.
Mr Adu said selecting another running mate would not serve the party’s interest and could adversely affect its chances of winning the 2028 election.
“NAPO is now a household name trending everywhere in the political space. So, the NPP shouldn’t make any irreparable mistake to drop him because doing so will be politically suicidal for us in the Election 2028,” he stated.
Mr Adu, a former Assembly Member for the Ntoase Electoral Area in the Sunyani Municipality and popularly known in political circles as “Nana Gee,” attributed the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 election largely to voter apathy.
“If the party has any problem now, then isn’t the running-mate matter, but to ensure that all disgruntled members are satisfied and to be formidable and join the Bawumia campaign for Election 2028,” he advised.
Touching on the party’s impending constituency elections, Mr Adu expressed confidence that the NPP leadership would organise free, fair and credible polls to promote unity within the party.
He said transparent elections would enable contestants to accept the results in good faith and help strengthen party cohesion.
Mr Adu further urged the NPP to guard against perceptions of favouritism and electoral manipulation, warning that such concerns could undermine the credibility of the internal elections and negatively affect the party’s fortunes in the 2028 general election.
He appealed to delegates in the constituency to support his candidature and encouraged party members across the country to make informed choices by electing competent leaders capable of helping the NPP recapture political power.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamaoh
Reporter: Dennis Peprah
Email: [email protected]