An Asante youth group has challenged Nana Jantuah, a journalist with Ahenfie FM in Kumasi, over his reported opposition to Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, serving as Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s running mate in the 2028 general elections.

The group, represented by George Oppong Peprah, has questioned the basis of Jantuah’s intervention in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) internal affairs, arguing that his perceived hostility towards the party makes his advice on the selection of a running mate questionable.

It insists that NAPO remains the NPP’s best bet for the position and that replacing him ahead of the 2028 elections could prove to be a serious political miscalculation.

“How does Nana Jantuah, a journalist whose public commentary we consider openly hostile to the NPP, suddenly position himself as an adviser to Dr Bawumia on who should be his running mate? The NPP does not need political opponents to dictate its electoral strategy,” Peprah said.

He argued that while Jantuah was entitled to express his views, the final decision on the running mate should rest with Dr Bawumia and the party’s leadership, guided by a sober assessment of experience, political strength and electoral prospects.

‘Changing NAPO would be politically unwise’

The group maintained that NAPO’s experience as a former Minister for Education and Minister for Energy, coupled with his previous selection as Dr Bawumia’s running mate in 2024, makes him a formidable candidate for the position in 2028.

According to Peprah, the NPP must resist what he described as pressure to abandon an experienced political figure without a compelling strategic reason.

“NAPO is the NPP’s best bet. It would be politically unwise to change him at this stage simply because some commentators have decided that he should not continue. You do not discard experience without carefully considering what you stand to lose,” he said.

He added that changing the running mate could create unnecessary internal tensions, reopen settled political debates and force the party to rebuild a partnership that has already been tested on the national stage.

“The NPP must be careful not to confuse criticism with sound political advice. The party needs a running mate who understands government, has experience in major sectors of the economy and can complement Dr Bawumia’s presidential ambition. NAPO brings that experience to the table,” Peprah said.

The group argued that NAPO’s record should be evaluated objectively, acknowledging that political appointments require a careful assessment of both achievements and challenges.

However, it maintained that any argument for replacing him must demonstrate a clear electoral advantage rather than rely on personal preferences or partisan criticism.

Questions over Jantuah’s intervention

Peprah said the group found it difficult to understand why Nana Jantuah appeared so invested in determining the NPP’s choice of running mate when the party had its own structures and leadership to make that decision.

“Let Nana Jantuah concentrate on his own political opinions and leave the NPP to decide what is best for the party. He can disagree with NAPO, but he cannot expect his opposition to determine the future of the NPP,” he said.

He urged NPP supporters to focus on strengthening the party, assessing potential electoral strategies and avoiding distractions that could deepen divisions ahead of the 2028 polls.