The Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, has urged members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to end discussions over who should partner Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as running mate for the 2028 general elections.
He said the choice of a running mate was the responsibility of the party’s flagbearer and called on supporters to rally behind whoever Dr Bawumia eventually selects.
Dr Ayew Afriye made the remarks on Tuesday on the sidelines of a demonstration organised by the NPP Youth Wing, where he questioned the intensity of the debate over a position that was not determined through internal party elections.
“Let’s stop this running mate, bruhaha. Do we go for running mate elections in the NPP? If that is so, then we should issue nomination forms.
The one who has been selected as a flagbearer is the one to search for his running mate.
Ours is to just rally behind whoever he settles on,” he said.
His comments come amid growing discussions within the NPP over the choice of a running mate for the 2028 presidential election, with supporters backing two prominent figures from the Ashanti Region.
They are former Minister for Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, who served as Dr Bawumia’s running mate in the 2024 election, and Dr Ayew Afriye, whose name has also featured prominently in recent discussions.
The debate has generated differing positions among groups and supporters within the party.
The Friends of NAPO (FONA) have reportedly expressed concern over what they describe as attempts by some individuals within Dr Bawumia’s camp to replace the former Energy Minister with Dr Ayew Afriye.
The group has urged Dr Bawumia to retain NAPO, arguing that maintaining the existing partnership would help prevent divisions within the party.
Other party communicators have similarly advocated for the continuation of the Bawumia-NAPO ticket.
They have cited the Prof. Mike Oquaye Committee report on the NPP’s 2024 electoral defeat, arguing that the report did not identify the presidential ticket as a major factor behind the party’s loss.
They contend that retaining the two would provide continuity as the NPP prepares for the next general election.
On the other side of the debate, supporters of Dr Ayew Afriye have argued that selecting a new running mate could provide an opportunity for renewal ahead of the 2028 polls.
Some have also drawn comparisons with previous elections to support their position in favour of a change in the party’s presidential ticket.
Despite the competing arguments, Dr Ayew Afriye has maintained that the final decision rests with Dr Bawumia and that party members should support his choice.
