The Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, has criticized the selection of Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as Vice President Bawumia’s running mate choice.
According to the NPP MP, who also serves on the party’s National Council, Dr. Opoku Prempeh is not the optimal candidate to partner with Dr. Bawumia in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
His comments followed Dr. Bawumia’s presentation of Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s name to President Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, June 25, during a meeting at the Jubilee House. According to Accra-based Joy News, the President provided some advice and shared his thoughts but ultimately accepted Dr. Bawumia’s choice.
Reacting to this development, Mr Appiah-Kubi openly criticized the decision, arguing that Dr Opoku Prempeh is not widely accepted within the NPP, particularly among MPs. He emphasized that the Energy Minister might struggle to campaign effectively in many constituencies.
“I wouldn’t speak to a majority because we have not been consulted as a caucus for us to state our position. But for me, Appiah-Kubi, you can solicit my view on that. If it were up to me to choose, I wouldn’t choose him. He is not my preference. ‘Appiah-Kubi is saying that he is not my preference’, but that doesn’t mean he is not qualified,” he said.
When asked about his own preference for a running mate, Appiah-Kubi stated, “Well, if there was an opportunity like that, I would express a candidate, however acceptable otherwise, to our presidential candidate.”
He further elaborated on the qualities he would prefer in a running mate, saying, “I would want somebody who would be open with the people on the ground, who would be able to deliver the votes, who would submit to the presidency, and who would be important in bringing Parliament closer to the executive.”
Appiah-Kubi stressed the need for a running mate who would be more acceptable to parliamentarians and capable of campaigning alongside MPs in their constituencies.
“I don’t see that happening in this equation. He cannot hold my hand, so why would I say that I prefer him? He cannot hold my hand,” the Asante Akim North MP said.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
