A founding member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has alleged that the Flagbearer and Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was coerced into choosing the Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO), as his running mate.

Speaking in an interview on 3FM, on Thursday, June 27, 2024, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe claimed that he had predicted Dr. Bawumia would not have autonomy in the selection of his running mate, and indeed, it happened as he had foreseen.

He reiterated that the vice president did not choose the person he genuinely wanted to be his partner for the upcoming December 7 election because some influential figures within the party did not permit him to do so.

“There are some people in the party who, because of their own interests, won’t allow Bawumia to pick his own running mate. I predicted that he would not be given free rein by some people in the party because of their own interests. I know for a fact that he can’t pick his own running mate, and I mentioned this seven months ago. He will definitely have to pick his running mate from the Ashanti Region,” he said.

“Rawlings picked his own running mate, Kufuor picked his own running mate, Atta Mills picked his own running mate, John Mahama picked his own running mate, and Akufo-Addo in both terms picked his own running mate. Why can’t Bawumia?” he quizzed.

He added, “To be frank with you, Bawumia is a nice gentleman. I have worked with him before. He is a very nice gentleman, but not every nice gentleman can be a good politician. I predicted that Bawumia would not be given a free hand to pick his own running mate by some party members because of their own interests.”

The NPP founding member also stated that despite the selection of NAPO as the vice-presidential candidate, the NPP is likely to face challenges in its stronghold, the Ashanti Region, where the education minister originates.

“So now, if you pick a running mate from that region, I don’t think we are going to get 100 percent support from there. Within our own party, there are people who are not happy with the selection of Bawumia as the flagbearer of the party.”

About NAPO's nomination:

According to a report from myjoyonline.com, the NPP flagbearer presented NAPO as his running mate during a meeting with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

JoyNews' Presidential Affairs correspondent, Elton Brobbey, reported that after the vice president presented his choice of running mate to President Akufo-Addo, the president offered advice and shared his thoughts before ultimately accepting Dr. Bawumia's choice.

"He was first elected to Parliament on June 1, 2008, and successfully re-elected in 2012, 2016, and 2020. He has served on the Health, Appointment, and Defence and Interior Committees of Parliament. In 2017, President Akufo-Addo appointed him as Education Minister, and he currently holds the position of Energy Minister. His name is Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as NAPO," the journalist reported.

BAI/NOQ



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