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Assin Central Member of Parliament and former Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong says the only credible individual to partner the NPP flagbearer, H.E. Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as his Running Mate is Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh.

Kennedy Agyapong strongly believed Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South and goes by the popular name "NAPO", has what it takes in his partnership with Dr. Bawumia to defeat the opposition National Democratic Congress' leader, John Dramani Mahama.

He was optimistic the Bawumia/NAPO ticket will help the New Patriotic Party to “break the 8”.

Speaking to delegates at Bantama constituency in the Ashanti Region ahead of the party's 27th January primaries to select their parliamentary candidates, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong argued that Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh over the years has endeared himself to the party, relating positively with the party's rank and file.

 “If you go to NAPO’s office, you will be marveled at the way he relates with party people. He takes care of party people. If we had 5 of his kind in the party, NPP would have been better off and far ahead of the NDC. Given the current circumstances where many of our members are despondent, selecting NAPO will be the only way to bring back the needed energy for victory in the 2024 elections”, he said.

Hon. Kennedy Agyapong said the only way he was going to campaign for the NPP in the 2024 elections is for the flagbearer to select the Energy Minister as his Running Mate.

 “The only way I will campaign for the NPP is for Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh to be named as the Running Mate...That will be the most credible ticket to beat John Mahama”, he insisted.

This statement, according to political pundits, is a testament to the fact that the Manhyia South law maker has the capacity to support the NPP flagbearer to bring all parts of the party together.

This position of the former NPP presidential hopeful who polled over 30% of the total votes cast in the party's presidential primary is believed to be held by the grass roots of the New Patriotic Party who believe the flagbearer must select his Running Mate from the Ashanti Region, thus, the only person who ticks all the boxes is the Energy Minister.

It is believed that as an Asante royal, son of Otumfuo’s Apagyahene with unquestionable ties to the Manhyia Palace, Dr. Prempeh is the only person with the capacity to rally support for the NPP within the Asante kingdom and obliterate the despondency within the NPP. 

Political pundits also argue that, given his connection to the grass roots and his sterling performance as Minister for Education and subsequently Energy Minister in the Akufo-Addo administration, NAPO stands a better chance of attracting floating voters to support Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the New Patriotic Party.

Proponents of the Energy Minister  for Running Mate also explain that the Minister has proven himself as the suitable person to give the NPP the needed political capital and to land John Mahama his third successive defeat in the presidential elections.

The NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is rumored to submit the name of his Running Mate to the National Council for deliberation, approval and announcement right after the NPP’s parliamentary primaries scheduled for Saturday, 27th January, 2024.