Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, a New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant, has addressed speculation about his reaction to being overlooked as running mate for the 2024 elections as per reports from Ghana Web.
Contrary to rumours, Dr Adutwum said he harbors no ill feelings toward Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the party’s 2024 presidential candidate, who selected Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh as his running mate.
In an interview on Channel One TV on July 21, 2025, Dr Adutwum dismissed claims of bitterness, stating, “No, if I were angry, I wouldn’t have gone to campaign for Bawumia. Nobody campaigned for him more than me.”
He highlighted his active role in promoting Bawumia’s agenda, particularly in the education sector, even investing his resources to ensure the vision gained national media attention.
He revealed that the decision over the running mate was entirely Dr Bawumia’s prerogative, adding, “He chose whoever he wanted; that was his judgment call. It wasn’t my judgment.”
Dr Adutwum also revealed a change in his approach, noting that for the next election cycle, he intends to run based on his own merits rather than depending on others’ decisions.
The 2024 election saw Dr Bawumia pick former Energy and Education Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, as his deputy, but the NPP was defeated by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by President John Dramani Mahama.
Looking ahead, Dr Adutwum has declared his ambition to seek the NPP’s flagbearership for the 2028 elections.