The 2024 Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has urged party members to desist from tribal and religious rhetoric in the party’s internal campaigns as preparations begin for the 2028 general election.
According to him, such divisive conduct risks reinforcing negative stereotypes about the party and could undermine its national appeal.
Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, made the remarks in a statement posted on his Facebook page after joining the campaign of former Second Lady, Hajia Samira Bawumia, in the Manhyia South Constituency on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
He expressed grave concern over what he described as creeping bigotry within the party, warning that such tendencies could damage the NPP’s democratic credentials.
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“This is a party that has been branded tribal; we cannot perpetuate it,” he stated, cautioning that divisive utterances by some members lend credence to longstanding accusations that the NPP is an ethnically driven political organisation.
However, he was quick to stress that the NPP does not subscribe to ethnic politics.
“We are democratic, and we uphold common humanity. Democracy doesn’t go in for tribe, religion, or gender. It is the individual. One man, one vote. And if we want power, we want to present a person who will be convincing to the generality of the electorate,” NAPO said.
Dr Opoku Prempeh noted that Hajia Samira Bawumia’s campaign tour of the Ashanti Region included a stop at his constituency, describing the engagement with delegates as an honour.
“I reiterated my call for us to unite behind the elephant, regardless of who sits on it, and reaffirmed the message I have shared consistently across the country: Dr Mahamudu Bawumia remains the only candidate with the clarity, experience, and national appeal to lead our party to victory in the shortest possible time,” he said.
NAPO also called for an immediate return to the party’s core democratic values, warning that failure to do so could erode public trust and diminish the party’s relevance.
“We must get out of this,” he cautioned.
His comments come at a time when internal manoeuvring ahead of the NPP’s 2028 presidential primaries is already generating tension, with some aspirants and their supporters reportedly resorting to tribal and religious narratives.
Dr Opoku Prempeh stressed that the party must select a leader based on competence and national appeal rather than ethnic or religious affiliation.
“Can the man we are presenting help solve problems for the community at large so the benefit spreads across the board for all?” he asked.