The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has been advised against changing his running mate ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Mr. Akwasi Nti Asamoah, a former NPP Constituency Chairman for Fomena and a political aide to the New Patriotic Party’s 2024 Vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, made the suggestion in a chat with The Chronicle in Kumasi.
The advice comes at time the Party leadership is engaged in discussions about potential rebranding and strategic adjustments including the running mate position.
He insisted that Dr. Bawumia should retain Dr. Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, as his running mate citing continuity as the position of some party members and supporters.
The advocate argued that Dr. Bawumia had previously been given multiple opportunities as a running mate and suggested that same opportunity to be given to Dr. Opoku Prempeh to maintain continuity.
Mr. Akwasi Nti, as he is simply called, said Dr. Opoku Prempeh also deserves a second chance and must be treated same. “We will never allow Bawumia to change NAPO.”
According to him, the precedent had already been set by previous presidential candidates and mentioned Candidates John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who maintained Aliu Mahama and Mahamudu Bawumia for two and three consecutive times respectively over the two term-eight year period.
The former Fomena NPP chairman suggested there would be strong resistance from supporters if a different nominee apart from Napo is selected. “Let Bawumia dare change NAPO and he will see,” Mr. Nti threatened stressing that “Nothing should stop Bawumia from choosing Dr. Opoku Prempeh as his running mate for the 2028 elections.
Ex- chairman Akwasi Nti also suggested that Dr. Bawumia must consider naming his running mate as soon as possible since further delay will be a recipe for tension and unnecessary lobbying at the expense of party cohesion.
Dr. Bawumia, who was elected flagbearer of the NPP last January 31, 2026 is yet to publicly announce his choice of running mate for the 2028 elections.
Source: Chronicle
