A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Wenchi Constituency of the Bono Region, Mr Richard Kwadwo Adu, has strongly advocated for the retention of Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, as the party’s running mate for the 2028 general elections, warning that any decision to drop him could be politically damaging.
Dr Prempeh, a former Member of Parliament for Manhyia South and a former Minister of State, served as running mate to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia during the 2024 presidential election.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Wenchi, Mr Adu described any attempt to replace Dr Prempeh as “inexpedient and immature,” arguing that his continued role would strengthen the party’s chances of reclaiming power.
He said the 2024 election had significantly boosted Dr Prempeh’s national political profile, making him a well-recognised figure whose presence on the ticket would benefit the NPP in 2028.
According to him, removing the former minister from the ticket would amount to a strategic mistake that could weaken the party’s electoral prospects.
“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 Election 2028,” he stated.
Mr Adu, also a former NPP Youth Organiser and Assembly Member for the Ntoase Electoral Area in Sunyani, attributed the party’s 2024 electoral loss largely to voter apathy rather than issues relating to the running mate.
He argued that the party’s immediate priority should be internal reconciliation and mobilising dissatisfied members to support a united front ahead of the next elections.
“If the party has any problem now, then it is not 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 said.
Turning to the party’s upcoming constituency elections, Mr Adu expressed confidence that the NPP would conduct transparent and credible polls that would enhance internal unity.
He cautioned that fairness in the electoral process was critical to ensuring acceptance of results and strengthening party cohesion.
Mr Adu also warned against perceptions of bias and manipulation in the internal elections, noting that such concerns could undermine trust and affect the party’s chances in the 2028 general elections.
He further appealed to delegates in the Wenchi Constituency to support his bid in the upcoming polls, while urging party members nationwide to elect capable leaders who can help steer the NPP back to power.
