There are disturbing reports emanating from the Ashanti Regional branch of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) over the purported selection of the Minister for Energy and MP for Manhyia South, Mathew Opoku Prempeh as running mate to the Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the party.

Credible information indicates that members of the inner team of the Regional Chairman have threatened to abandon the Chairman and the party to their fate should NAPO be confirmed as the running mate to partner Dr Mahamadu Bawumia.

According to reports, the group is not happy with the way Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh personally invested time and resources to campaign against Chairman Wontumi when the latter was seeking re-election. 

“This development nearly broke the ranks of the party in the region 2 years ago.” The group said. 

They further referenced the subsequent smear campaign against Chairman Wontumi and his administration by some communicators and social media groups aligned with the Energy Minister.

Against this backdrop, the group says they are not ready for any compromises, warning that they would maroon the regional chairman and would have nothing to do with any activities of the party and the 2024 electioneering campaign.

"We will leave Wontumi alone to do his campaign; we will never be part of any activities in the region if Napo is selected as the running mate," the group sternly warned.

Additionally,  the team also painfully recounted how a Napo-sponsored campaign nearly pitched the Regional Chairman and some members of the Council of Elders against the Asantehene and the Manhyia Palace, almost ruining the smooth relationship between Chairman Wontumi and his King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.