Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, if chosen as the running mate for New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, could help the party regain votes that have been lost to the leader of the Movement for Change, Alan Kyerematen.

This assertion has been communicated by Political Risk Analyst, Dr. Theo Acheampong, who holds the position that a running mate from the Ashanti Region could mitigate the effects the breakaway of Mr Kyerematen would have on the ruling party.

Delving into regionalism and apathy ahead of the 2024 general elections, Dr Acheampong stated that "the Akan vote (the biggest ethnic bloc) could fracture in unpredictable ways given Alan Kyeramaten’s breakaway Movement for Change. This, however, can also be mitigated by choice of running mate for the NPP. Most indications and sources point to NAPO becoming the running mate to VP Bawumia."

In his February 5 post on X, the political risk analyst noted that "the NPP will sustain gains made in the Northeast of the country more so given VP Bawumia comes from there."

"Other key battleground regions will be Central and Western," he added.

Dr Acheamong noted that this assertion is not derived from a scientific approach, but rather, a hunch.

In September 2023, former presidential aspirant of the NPP, Alan Kyerematen, who is also a former Trade Minister exited the NPP due to challenges with electoral process, change in the aim of the party, among others.

He broke away to form the Movement for Change to enable him to contest the 2024 presidential elections as an Independent Candidate.

Many in the political field believe Alan's exit will cost the NPP.