Awineyesema Abiire, a Lecturer at the Bolgatanga Technical University is of the view that a survey by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) should have targeted non-partisan people and not NPP delegates.
According to him, the role of the running mate is to reach beyond the immediate circles of a political party.
Energy Minister Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh has emerged as the preferred choice of running mate for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Presidential candidate for the 2024 general election, according to a survey conducted by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).
The comprehensive nationwide survey, conducted from June 12 to June 14, 2024, 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 5,116 party executives.
The results of the survey indicate that Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, commonly known as NAPO, who currently serves as the Minister of Energy and Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South, secured 76.2% of the responses from the executives polled, making him the leading candidate for the position of running mate to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
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. Other notable personalities considered 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.
According to the report, Dr. Prempeh is highly preferred as the best to pair Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia due to his popularity and strong connections with the grassroots of the party.
But speaking Thursday on the State of Our Nation, Mr. Abiire suggests the Vice president should not make his decision based on surveys.
“The research should’ve targeted non-party people,” he stated.
“You select the one who could well serve your interest and complement your strength. That’s the role of the running-mate. They’re the things that inform who should be your running-mate
It’s not left to party supporters not to talk of even delegates. The Vice-President shouldn’t select a running-mate based on the survey. He shouldn’t even behave like he has seen it”.
