Nominating Napo As Running Mate Does Not Mean Everyone At Manhyia Will Vote For NPP – Otumfuo Tells NDC

The King of the Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has made it clear that the nomination of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) does not signify that the Manhyia Palace endorses any political party. Dr. Opoku Prempeh, commonly known as NAPO, is a nephew of the Ashanti monarch, but Otumfuo emphasized that familial relations do not determine political alignment within the palace.

In a public statement following Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s nomination, Otumfuo offered advice to his nephew, urging him not to disappoint the NPP’s presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and shared words of wisdom regarding the challenges ahead. However, the Asantehene was clear in stating that the Manhyia Palace maintains political neutrality, stressing that its members are free to support any political party of their choosing, be it the NPP or the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The monarch reiterated this stance during a courtesy visit from Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate of John Dramani Mahama of the NDC, who called on him as part of her tour. “Even though Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) is my nephew, it does not imply that people in the Manhyia Palace will vote for the NPP or NDC,” Otumfuo clarified. This statement was seen as reinforcing the palace’s impartiality in the highly charged political landscape leading up to the 2024 elections.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, in turn, expressed her gratitude to the Asantehene for his warm reception and acknowledged his continuous guidance to the NDC over the years. “We thank you for welcoming us to your place. We are grateful for your continuous pieces of advice to the NDC party over the years,” she said.

Accompanying Prof. Opoku-Agyemang were regional executives and supporters of the NDC, who joined her in paying homage to the Ashanti monarch during the visit.

As the 2024 elections draw nearer, the Ashanti Kingdom’s commitment to political neutrality remains a significant point of discussion, especially given the strategic importance of the Ashanti Region in Ghana’s electoral politics.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com