Broadcaster Philip Osei Bonsu (OB) has stated that there is no justification to change Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (Napo) as the running mate of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for the 2028 presidential elections.
Speaking on the award-winning Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen afternoon political show on February 3, OB, who is the host of the programme, based his argument on the findings of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) post-2024 election review committee, chaired by former Speaker Prof. Mike Oquaye, which did not blame Dr Bawumia and Napo for the defeat.
“The Oquaye Committee was established for a serious purpose: to forensically tell us why we lost. If its report did not indict Dr. Bawumia or Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh for the defeat, then on what logical basis are people demanding a change?” Osei Bonsu questioned. “You cannot disregard your own commissioned, evidence-based findings and substitute them with personal speculation and ambition.”
No change
While the full Oquaye Report remains an internal party document, insiders familiar with its conclusions confirm it focused on structural and strategic shortcomings—including campaign messaging, grassroots organization, and national political dynamics—rather than attributing the loss to the presidential ticket itself. The report did not recommend changing the ticket as a corrective measure.
This perspective is gaining ground among a section of the party’s grassroots and strategists. They argue that discarding a running mate whom the party’s own audit did not blame would be an admission of error where none was officially found, potentially undermining the credibility of internal party institutions. “Scapegoating individuals after an official committee has not cited them is a dangerous path. It means we commission reports only to ignore them when the conclusions are inconvenient to certain interests,” Osei Bonsu cautioned.
Continuity
Supporters of continuity for the Bawumia-Napo ticket contend that reopening this debate is a distraction. They assert that the party’s energy should be directed toward implementing the Oquaye Committee’s actual recommendations: rebuilding party structures, reconnecting with voters, and refining its governing message ahead of 2028.
Other voices
The debate unfolds amid other voices within the NPP, like that of MP Samuel Abu Jinapor, who has described the running mate discussion as “premature.” They argue the party must first concentrate on the foundational work of strengthening its weakened organizational “horse” before selecting its “rider.”
Principle
For Osei Bonsu and his allies, the principle is one of discipline and institutional respect. “If we believe in our party institutions and processes, then their conclusions must guide us. The report did not blame the ticket; therefore, agitating to change one half of it lacks a factual foundation from our own inquiry,” he stated.
