Patricia Appiagyei, the Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Asokwa, has refuted allegations that she is lobbying to be selected as a running mate of the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
According to Patricia Appiagyei, she has not made any such move, but remains open to serving in that capacity if given the opportunity.
Speaking in an interview with Sir John on GhanAkoma on Akoma FM on Wednesday, March 19, 2026, the Asokwa MP emphasised, “I have not lobbied for any running mate position, but if it comes, I will accept it because I am willing to serve the party”.
She further asserted that the NPP has several capable individuals who could be considered.
“There are more prominent people in the party who can equally support Dr Bawumia to secure power in 2028. It is the prerogative of the party to choose the right person,” she added.
“We are focusing on restructuring the base of the party by registering new members to complement the existing ones for victory in 2028,” she noted.
In related news, some NPP Members of Parliament have endorsed the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 running mate, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, commonly known as NAPO, to be maintained as running mate in the 2028 elections.
Following the State of the Nation Address on Friday, February 27, 2026, Napo was spotted exchanging pleasantries with dignitaries in Parliament shortly after he attempted to leave Parliament, some NPP MPs gathered around him.
The NPP MPs were heard chanting “Yɛ pɛ NAPO, NAPO na yɛ pɛ” which translates as We want Napo, Napo is the one we want”.
Nana Ayeh Asafo-Adjei, the Member of Parliament for Bosome Freho and the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, along with other colleagues.
Other MP’s were also heard shouting, “No change, we want NAPO.”
Also, Akwasi Anti Asamoah, a former Fomena Constituency Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has told the party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, that he cannot change Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the running mate.
The NPP man recounted how former President Akufo-Addo maintained Dr Bawumia after several unsuccessful attempts at the presidency.
According to him, Dr Bawumia needs to keep Napo as his running mate for consistency’s sake, just as Akufo-Addo did.
Akwasi Anti Asamoah detailed that Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh is the right candidate to partner with Dr Bawumia, adding that every individual has flaws.
He detailed that Napo has acknowledged his shortcomings and worked on them after the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 election.
Speaking in an interview on Angel TV, Akwasi Anti Asamoah stated, “Bawumia cannot change NAPO because he is the right candidate. Akufo-Addo contested with him as running mate three times, and they eventually won.
Now Bawumia has also been marketed and is going again, so NAPO is the best candidate to run with him,” he said.
He further added that the NPP lost the election due to the anger of NPP members and not the fault of Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh.
“The party suffered defeat because of anger, and it is not NAPO’s fault that we lost the election. He is the best person to partner with Bawumia for the presidency,” he stressed.