PHOTO:Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh
Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Vice Presidential candidate, has sparked a storm with his curious post-election moves that have everyone asking: Is he already plotting his path to the flagbearership in 2028?
While Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s presidential candidate, took to the stage for a press conference to accept defeat after the December 7 elections, Dr Prempeh, his running mate was nowhere to be found. Instead, he issued a separate statement days after, expressing gratitude to the people of Ghana, acknowledging the defeat, and humbly accepting the electoral verdict. But while his words may have seemed gracious, the timing and content of his statement are raising red flags.
The key takeaway from Prempeh’s remarks? A call for introspection and re-energizing the party for the future. The question is, why did he feel the need to step into the limelight with such an emphasis on the future when the party’s principal had just delivered a concession speech? His focus on learning from the defeat and moving forward was a direct deviation from Bawumia’s message. Could this be a subtle power grab, a way of positioning himself as the true face of the future NPP?
Let’s face it, running mates are supposed to stand side-by-side with their principal in times of defeat. But Dr. Prempeh’s absence at Bawumia’s press conference and his independent statement created a strange divide. The optics were off, and the message was unclear. It almost felt like Prempeh wanted to steal the spotlight—drawing attention away from Bawumia’s message and shifting it squarely onto himself. Is this the beginning of a silent campaign for 2028?
In Ghana’s political history, we’ve rarely seen a running mate go rogue in such a public way. From Aliu Mahama’s loyal partnership with John Kufuor to the lockstep alliance between Akufo-Addo and Bawumia, the standard has always been unity. Yet, here’s Prempeh, breaking the mold. So, was this a simple misstep, or is it a calculated move to plant the seeds for a future presidential bid?
The public is buzzing with speculation. Was Prempeh’s statement just an innocent expression of gratitude, or was it a strategic move to carve out a personal political future? Given the NPP’s current woes and the internal struggles that are bound to follow, Prempeh’s actions may very well be the opening salvo in a much bigger game plan.
As the dust settles from the NPP’s defeat, one thing is clear: the NPP’s internal dynamics are shifting. Dr. Prempeh has sent a loud, clear message—and whether it’s part of a long-term strategy for 2028 is anyone’s guess. But one thing is certain: his actions have added a whole new twist to the post-election drama.
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