A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Arthur Kennedy, has questioned the suitability of Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as Napo, as a running mate to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, arguing that the choice could weaken the party’s appeal ahead of the 2028 general election.

Speaking on Joy FM's AM Show, Dr Kennedy said he did not believe Napo was the best option to partner with the former Vice President, citing concerns about his past public posture and political messaging.

“I don’t think he was a good running mate,” Dr Kennedy said. “Of course, you can always say maybe this time around he will be better. But the last time, his Kwame Nkrumah comments and all those kinds of things were alienating.”

Dr Kennedy, a physician and long-time political activist within the NPP, made the comments amid ongoing discussions within the party about strategy, leadership, and image following Dr Bawumia’s victory in the party’s presidential primaries on January 31.

Dr Bawumia emerged as the NPP’s flagbearer for the 2028 general election after winning the internal contest, setting the stage for early debates over campaign direction and possible running mate options.

While acknowledging Napo’s political experience and personality, Dr Kennedy suggested that the former Energy and Education Minister’s previous public statements and associations may not resonate with a broader section of voters.

“I like Napo. He’s a very interesting person,” he noted. “But if I were Dr Bawumia, I would seriously consider whether other people would help me better.”

He argued that the NPP needs fresh faces and new ideas to reconnect with voters, especially after serving two consecutive terms in government and facing criticism over economic and governance challenges.

“I think it helps to give them new faces and new ideas,” he said. “Having said that, which is part of why I think Dr Bawumia himself has a problem, he doubles down on it when he picks somebody who is also a very familiar face of the last government.”