The Member of Parliament for Akrofuom, Joseph Azumah, has claimed that several senior figures within the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) are lobbying to become the running mate of the party’s presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, ahead of the 2028 general elections.

According to him, those seeking the position include Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong and the party’s 2024 running mate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO).

He further mentioned former Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, as well as former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection and Dome-Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo.

“Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Kwabena Agyepong, and Sarah Adwoa Safo are currently lobbying to become the running mate,” he alleged.

Mr Azumah made the remarks on Adom FM’s morning show on Tuesday, 3 February.

Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was recently elected as the NPP’s flagbearer for the 2028 presidential election, defeating four other contenders with 110,643 votes, representing 56.48 per cent.

His closest challenger, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, polled 46,554 votes (23.76 per cent), followed by Dr Bryan Acheampong with 36,303 votes (18.53 per cent). Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum secured 1,999 votes (1.02 per cent), while Kwabena Agyei Agyepong garnered 402 votes (0.2 per cent).

In a swift rebuttal, Kofi Tonto, a political aide to Dr Bawumia, dismissed the claims as baseless.

He noted that while the selection of a running mate is important, Dr Bawumia’s immediate focus is on uniting the party following the primaries to position the NPP for victory in the 2028 elections.

According to him, the choice of a running mate will be made at the appropriate time, in consultation with the party’s leadership and key stakeholders.