According to a survey published by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Minister of Energy and Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, is widely preferred among party members to be a running mate to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the 2024 General Election.
The NIB revealed that there is overwhelming agreement among stakeholders that the ideal candidate for the running mate position should hail from the Ashanti region, indicating a broad consensus on this specific criterion for the role.
“In anticipation of the selection of a running mate by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP Presidential candidate for the 2024 general election, the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) conducted a comprehensive nationwide survey from June 12 to June 14, 2024”.
“This survey targeted NPP delegates, including national, regional, constituency, and polling station executives, utilizing the party’s delegates album to ensure a representative sample. The survey polled 5116 party executives”.
National Intelligence Bureau (NIB)
The NIB stated that Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, commonly known as NAPO, secured 76.2% of the responses from executives polled, making him the leading candidate for the position of running mate to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections.
“Following him is Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education and MP for the Bosomtwe constituency, who garnered 10.1% of the responses from the polled executives”. – NIB
The NIB indicated that other notable personalities the delegates consider as potential running mates include Apostle Opoku Onyinah, former Chairman of the Pentecost Church of Ghana, and Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Agriculture and MP for Abetifi Constituency.
Furthermore, the Bureau pointed out that Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh emerged as the most preferred choice, especially among constituency and polling station executives, who constituted the largest segment of the sample, corresponding to 36.2% and 32.6%, respectively.
As such, the NIB explained that a significant majority of respondents, approximately 84%, view Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the ideal running mate for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia due to his charisma and popularity among party members.
94% Want Male Running Mate
Moreover, the National Intelligence Bureau found that an overwhelming majority, 94%, of respondents preferred a male candidate for the running mate position.
The Bureau stated that, however, 89% of respondents stated they would accept whoever Dr. Bawumia selects as his running mate.
“Among the two leading top aspirants for the position, 38.8% of constituency executives identified Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as their preference for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the 2024 general elections. Additionally, 32.6% of polling station executives preferred Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh”.
National Intelligence Bureau (NIB)
The NIB stated that Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh is highly preferred as the best pair for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia due to his popularity and strong connections with the grassroots of the party.
The Bureau stated that Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s nomination for the position of running mate resonates well with the grassroots.
As such, NIB predicted that this will potentially foster party unity essential for enhancing Dr. Bawumia’s chances, particularly in the Ashanti region, a stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“This conclusion is reinforced by an early survey conducted by the NIB in January 2024, which assessed electorates’ choice of running mate across Ghana”. – NIB
According to the survey, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s suitability for the running mate position may be affected by the current electricity challenges in Ghana, given his responsibility as the Minister of Energy, potentially making his candidacy vulnerable to public perception about the government’s handling of the power crisis.
The National Intelligence Bureau, therefore, advised the government to implement necessary measures to solidify Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s competence in managing the energy sector to enhance the party’s prospects in the 2024 general elections.
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