The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has met the leadership of Parliament to discuss his choice of Matthew Opoku Prempeh as his running mate.
Cracks seem to have occurred in the leadership of the NPP in Parliament following media reports that Dr Bawumia had presented Dr Opoku Prempeh to President Akufo-Addo as his preferred candidate for running mate.
The Asante Akim North MP, Andy Appiah-Kubi reacted to this development with scathing remarks about the suitability of Dr Prempeh for the running mate slot.
Speaking in an interview, he said, “he is not my preference.”
Bawumia’s running mate: Opoku Prempeh is not my preference – Appiah- Kubi
This attracted a sharp rebuttal by the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin with a call for calm and an emphatic statement that “No decision has been made yet.”
Bawumia’s running mate: No decision has been made yet – Afenyo-Markin
The meeting with the leadership of Parliament, which is said to have taken place at the Vice President’s residence, was therefore to brief them on his choice of running mate for the December polls.
“The leader of our party, His Excellency Dr Bawumia met the leadership of Parliament, in the end, the conclusion is that our respected colleague, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh is his choice for running mate,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said on Accra-based Citi FM.
He added that “I have engaged the caucus, and the feedback has been positive. The generality of the caucus is in support of his choice. For it to be official, there has to be a National Council meeting for the final decision to be taken.”
The NPP is likely to convene a National Council meeting next Tuesday where Dr Bawumia will formally present his choice to the party’s top brass for their consideration and approval, in line with the NPP’s constitution.
By Komla Klutse
