The choice of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the party’s running mate has been rejected by Andy Appiah-Kubi, the MP for Asante Akim North of the New Patriotic Party.

He said the Energy Minister is not his first choice, even if he is a competent candidate to run alongside flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in December.

On Wednesday, June 27, Dr. Opoku Prempeh was brought to President Akufo-Addo by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the ruling party, for his approval.

The Asante Akim North MP, however, declared that if it were up to him, he would not select NAPO to be the NPP’s running mate in the general elections.

“I wouldn’t speak to a majority because we have not been consulted as a caucus for us to state our position. But for me, Appiah-Kubi, you can solicit my view on that. If it were up to me to choose, I wouldn’t choose him. He is not my preference. ‘Appiah-Kubi is saying that he is not my preference’, but that doesn’t mean he is not qualified,” he told Joy News in an interview.

He went on to say that he would likely choose a candidate who is more well-liked by lawmakers, adding that the party has to find someone who would campaign in a member of parliament’s district and hold their hand if the presidential candidate isn’t available.

“I would want somebody who would be open with the people on the ground, who would be able to deliver the votes, who would submit to the presidency, and who would be important in bringing Parliament closer to the executive.”

“I don’t see that happening in this equation. He cannot hold my hand, so why would I say that I prefer him? He cannot hold my hand,” he stated.