The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is set for a pivotal meeting on Thursday, July 4, where the National Council will deliberate on and likely approve the running mate for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the party’s flag bearer. This meeting, following an earlier National Executive Committee (NEC) session, will focus on Dr. Bawumia’s nomination of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO).
Per Article 12 (b) of the NPP constitution, the Presidential Candidate is required to nominate a Vice Presidential Candidate in consultation with the National Council. The nominee must have been an active and known member of the party for at least five years.
Dr. Bawumia has been actively engaging with party stakeholders to ensure a consensus on his choice. After consulting with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Dr. Bawumia formally informed the national officers and the Majority caucus in Parliament of his decision to nominate Dr. Opoku Prempeh. The announcement was made on Monday, July 1, at the NPP headquarters in Asylum Down.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s nomination has sparked various reactions, but his selection as the running mate has been widely seen as a strategic move. Other potential candidates included Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Chief of Staff Frema Osei Opare, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, and Ursula Owusu Ekuful. However, NAPO has emerged as the preferred choice.
The National Council’s endorsement is expected to be a decisive moment for the NPP, solidifying the Bawumia/NAPO ticket. This decision will pave the way for a united and dynamic campaign as the party seeks to secure victory in the 2024 general elections.
The running mate’s formal presentation is anticipated to follow Thursday’s meeting, marking the culmination of a thorough consultation process and setting the stage for the NPP’s electoral strategy. With the party’s leadership united behind the Bawumia/NAPO ticket, the NPP is poised for a robust and confident campaign heading into the December elections.
