Two NPP gurus who have denied interest in becoming Bawumia’s running mate

In the general elections of 2024, two prominent members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have publicly said that they are not interested in supporting Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as his running partner.

These people include Joseph Osei-Owusu, also known as Joe Wise, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education.

Though there are many rumors regarding the choice of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) running mate, these two NPP leaders have stated they have no interest in joining Bawumia in that capacity.

I am not lobbying to be vice president – Dr. Yaw Adutwum

Despite without explicitly denying his interest in the post, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum has reportedly brushed off rumors about his alleged aspirations to hold the position inside the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“I am not actively seeking to become the vice president. I am not the individual going around expressing my desire to hold the position. Unless the elections conclude and Dr. Bawumia openly announces that I should be his running mate, I am not actively pursuing the vice presidency,” Dr. Adutwum said.

I have no intentions of taking up this role. – Joe Wise

In an interview with JoyNews, situated in Accra, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Joseph Osei-Owusu stated that he was not interested in being the running mate.

“I pray for victory for the NPP, I pray for peace in the country. I pray for commitment and above all, I pray for honest and responsible citizens. Nobody has offered me anything, although there are speculations, I am not interested. I don’t want any discussions that focus on me. The focus should be on the presidential candidate. He has been given the choice to make, let’s focus on him,” he also stated.

Although there are a lot more names being mentioned for the job, it is still unclear who will ultimately get the ball.

While names like Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh have been floated in various sectors as a potential contender for the role, NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been silent on the matter.