Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, a stalwart of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh was forced on Dr. Bawumia to partner him for the 2024 presidential election.
He says he had predicted earlier that some elements in the NPP were not going to allow the party’s flag bearer to make his own choice when it comes to getting a running mate.
His comment comes on the back of news making the airwaves that the flag bearer of the NPP has presented Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as his running mate.
After the Vice President asked for time extension to make further consultations in selecting his running mate, calls have come for the candidate to be selected from the Ashanti region, due to the polity being the NPP’s stronghold.
Media General’s presidential correspondent, Nana Kwaku Adua, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, reported that the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has presented Energy Minister and Manhyia South lawmaker, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, as his running mate for the 2024 presidential election.
“NPP flag bearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia last night met President Akufo-Addo to formally inform him about his choice for running mate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh.
“He will meet the Council of Elders to formally inform them about his choice by the close of the week, the announcement is likely to be made close of the week or early next month,” Nana Adua reported on TV3’s News Central.
The news comes at a time when a survey purported to be coming from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), tipped Dr. Opoku Prempeh to be the running mate to Dr. Bawumia.
The survey engaged 5,116 NPP delegates nationwide, including national, regional, constituency, and polling station executives.
According to the poll, Dr. Opoku Prempeh secured 76% more than the next person who was preferred by the party people, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education who served as deputy under Opoku Prempeh in Akufo-Addo’s first term.
“I know for a fact that he can’t pick his own running mate and I made mention of this almost seven months ago and the reason is that simple.
“Bawumia’s position, he will find it difficult to pick his own running mate. Rawlings picked his own running mate, nobody would dare bring anyone to him and say ‘this one should go with you’. He filed Ackaah and he failed, he changed him to another person. Kufuor picked his own running mate.
“First round, second round, I was present. Not that someone was telling me. Atta Mills picked his own running mate, Mahama picked his own running mate. Akufo-Addo, scene one, picked his own running mate, scene two, picked his own running mate. Why can’t Bawumia pick his own running mate?” he quizzed on 3FM’s Sunrise Thursday, June 27, 2024.
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