The Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, has called on members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to end the growing debate over who should partner Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as running mate for the 2028 general elections.
He said the decision rests solely with the party’s flagbearer and urged supporters to rally behind whoever Dr Bawumia eventually selects.
Speaking on the sidelines of a demonstration organised by the NPP Youth Wing, Tuesday, Dr. Ayew Afriye questioned why party members were engaging in intense discussions over a position that is not determined through internal elections.

“Let’s stop this running mate, bruhaha. Do we go for running mate elections in the NPP? If that is so, then we should issue nomination forms. The one who has been selected as a flagbearer is the one to search for his running mate. Ours is to just rally behind whoever he settles on,” he said.
His comments come amid growing discussions within the party over the choice of a running mate for the 2028 presidential election, with competing support for two prominent figures from the Ashanti Region.
They include former Minister for Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, who served as Dr Bawumia’s running mate in the 2024 election, and Dr Ayew Afriye himself, whose name has featured prominently in recent conversations.
The debate has attracted competing positions from groups and supporters within the party.
In recent weeks, the Friends of NAPO (FONA) have reportedly raised concerns about attempts by some individuals within Dr Bawumia’s camp to replace the former Energy Minister with Dr. Ayew Afriye
The group has urged the flagbearer to retain NAPO, arguing that doing so would help prevent divisions within the party.
Other party communicators have also made a case for maintaining the Bawumia-NAPO partnership, arguing that the Prof. Mike Oquaye Committee report on the NPP’s 2024 electoral defeat did not identify the presidential ticket as a major factor behind the loss.
They contend that retaining the pair would provide continuity as the party prepares for the next general election.
However, supporters of Dr. Ayew Afriye have argued that a new running mate could offer the party an opportunity for renewal ahead of the 2028 polls.
Some have also drawn historical comparisons with previous elections to support the argument for a change in the party’s presidential ticket.Source:Jonathan Ofori