NAPO to be unveiled in Kumasi as Bawumia’s running mate on July 9 if cleared by National Council

The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) 2024 Presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is expected to unveil his running mate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who also serves as the Minister of Energy, on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi, if cleared by the National Council of the party at the meeting on Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Accra.

Dr. Bawumia had earlier disclosed to Dr. Opoku Prempeh that he had chosen him as his running mate before the Party’s Presidential primary, which eventually elected Dr. Bawumia as the flagbearer.

However, an alleged disagreement between President Nana Akufo-Addo and his close friend Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi delayed the official presentation of NAPO’s name for consideration by the other major stakeholders of the party and the National Council.

Speaking to EIB’s Ashanti regional correspondent Isaac Justice Bediako in Kumasi, a member of the national executive disclosed on condition of anonymity that "barring any last-minute changes at the council meeting on Thursday, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh will be unveiled in grand style in Kumasi, the stronghold of the party. Currently, Dr. Bawumia has overcome all the barriers holding back NAPO’s appointment; therefore, NAPO’s fate is in the hands of the National Council to realize Dr. Bawumia’s wish."

He admitted that the selection of the running mate has created a lot of division within the party; however, the national executive and President Nana Akufo-Addo are all prepared to resolve all issues for the party to approach the 2024 general elections united.

He added, "The party leadership has also instituted measures to calm all party supporters who are in disagreement with the choice of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the running mate to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia."