Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante Akim North, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, has stirred controversy among some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region following his criticism of the reported selection of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s running mate in the upcoming December 7 elections.
Speaking on Accra-based Joy FM on Thursday, June 27, 2024, Mr. Appiah-Kubi expressed strong reservations about Dr. Opoku Prempeh, commonly known as NAPO, potentially being chosen as the running mate.
“I wouldn’t speak for the majority because we have not been consulted as a caucus 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 (Napo). He is not my preference,” the Asante Akim North MP said.
Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin voiced disappointment over Mr. Appiah-Kubi’s remarks, addressing reporters at Parliament House on the same day.
Afenyo-Markin emphasized the importance of respecting party protocols in selecting running mates and cautioned against publicly disparaging colleagues.
“We should all respect party rules. You cannot go out of your way to describe your colleague in a manner that is unacceptable,” he charged.
“We are in this together. There is no perfect person in this world. Let us be measured in the language we use. The flagbearer has the confidence of the party, and I believe he will use the structures of the party in making his decisions,” he stated.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin further called on the Asante Akim North MP to exercise caution in his language, emphasizing unity within the party and confidence in the leadership’s decision-making process. “The flagbearer has the party’s confidence, and decisions will be made through party structures,” he affirmed.
Meanwhile, a group identifying as Concerned NPP Members in the Ashanti Region expressed dismay over Mr. Appiah-Kubi’s comments, calling for disciplinary action. They criticized his remarks as disrespectful not only to Dr. Opoku Prempeh but also to the President, Vice President, and the NPP as a whole.
The group endorsed Dr. Opoku Prempeh as an outstanding choice, citing his potential contributions to securing electoral victories for the party. Drawing parallels to past criticisms of Vice President Bawumia’s selection as running mate, they highlighted his subsequent pivotal role in electoral successes and effective vice presidency.
In conclusion, the Concerned NPP Members urged party leadership to address Mr. Appiah-Kubi’s remarks swiftly to uphold party unity and focus on achieving an “8-year mandate” in the upcoming elections.