…Picks nomination forms to remain in Parliament
The Minister for Energy and MP for Manhyia South, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, has technically hanged his vice-presidential ambition to remain in Parliament at the benevolence of Manhyia South Constituency in the Ashanti Region, until further notice.
In this regard, he, in line with the directives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) constitution, has filed his nomination at the NPP Manhyia South Constituency office, to contest in the party’s upcoming parliamentary primaries.
The medical doctor nicknamed “Napo” had not hidden his ambition to be the running mate to the NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, but The Herald is informed that tried as he did, he was never in the good books of President Nana Akufo-Addo and his family.
He is reported to have told Ken Ofori-Atta some hard facts about a GH¢ 2 billion belonging to the Ministry of Education and had since gone into the bad books of Mr Ofori-Atta, and not even his maternal ties to Akyem, will rescue him.
They had tried sacking him from the Energy Ministry many times, and he had in turn run to a prominent traditional ruler to intervene to have him kept in the Akufo-Addo government.
He had been seen in several pictures kneeling in front of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, as well as President Nana Akufo-Addo, portraying humility which many have described as fake.
Word around the NPP, says that he is not part of the NPP flagbearer’s list of possible running mates said to be mainly Asantes, including Chief of Staff, Frema Opare, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu, ex-MP for Subin and onetime Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK, Isaac Osei.
Former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Prof. Opoku Onyinah, who is also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, has also been linked to the NPP running mate position.
Also on the list is, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education and MP for the Bosomtwe Constituency in the Ashanti Region.
Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the outgoing MP for Suame Constituency, Ashanti Region had once also been on the list of possible nominees.
However, with Napo, all that appears to have ended. Even with the reports that the 16th Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was intensely lobbying for him, he has rushed for nominations form to be re-elected as the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Manhyia South for the 2024 parliamentary elections, towards his 5th term bid as MP.
Late Wednesday afternoon he wrote saying on his Facebook page “A few hours ago, in line with the dictates of our party constitution, I filed my nomination at the NPP Manhyia South Constituency office, to contest in the party’s upcoming primaries for constituencies with sitting MPs. This is in respect of my humble quest, to be re-elected as the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Manhyia South for the 2024 parliamentary elections. It is also the first step, towards my 5th term bid as Member of Parliament for Manhyia South on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party.
“Speaking to party members, I expressed my deepest appreciation to the rank and file of the NPP in the constituency for their unflinching support, since my debut unto the political scene of the constituency in 2008. Through their immense support, we have collectively achieved so much for our party and the constituency. However, I believe that, there is still more to do and so, have decided to avail myself, yet again, to the service of my people. Service, Sacrifice and Selflessness continue to remain my cardinal pillars as a politician.
“I believe that, my performance as Member of Parliament, in all modesty, is a matter of public record and thus, will continue to work fervently to increase the fortunes of the party in the constituency, in support of the NPP Flagbearer, His Excellency, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia next year.
“I commit fully, to the democratic tenets of our party in this internal exercise and I have no doubt, that Manhyia South, my beloved constituency will, once again rise to the occasion to deepen the attractiveness of the NPP.
“By the grace of God! Insha Allah! the NPP will break the 8!
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