The National Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is scheduled to convene on Thursday to discuss the selection of Dr. Bawumia’s running mate.
On Thursday, there will be two significant meetings: first, the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting followed by the National Council (NC) meeting. According to Graphic Online, the primary agenda for these meetings will be the selection of the running mate for the NPP’s flag bearer.
Article 12 (b) of the NPP constitution specifies that the Presidential Candidate, in consultation with the National Council, nominates the Vice Presidential Candidate (running mate), who must be a recognized and actively engaged member of the party for at least five (5) years.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flag bearer of the NPP, has begun consulting with various stakeholders within the party regarding his choice for running mate. Recently, he met with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and indicated that his preference was Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South in Kumasi.
On Monday, July 1, Dr. Bawumia formally notified the national officers of the NPP about his decision to nominate Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) as his running mate. This meeting took place at the NPP’s headquarters in Asylum Down.
Following a meeting between Dr. Bawumia and the Majority caucus in Parliament, the nomination of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) as his running mate is pending approval from the NPP’s National Council, which serves as the final approving body according to the party’s constitution.
The announcement of the running mate is anticipated after Thursday’s National Council meeting, following the completion of consultations as outlined in the NPP constitution. This nomination has sparked various reactions within the party and among stakeholders.
Article 12 (b) of the NPP constitution states that the Party’s Presidential Candidate shall, in consultation with the National Council, nominate the Vice Presidential Candidate, who shall be a known and active Member of at least five (5) years.
Before this latest development, several names had been tipped as potential running mates for Dr Bawumia’s bid, but that of Dr Opoku Prempeh, aka ‘Napo’”[Nana Poku], was flying higher.
Other names were Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Chief of Staff, Frema Osei Opare, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, and Ursula Owusu Ekuful, among others.
