Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, alias Napo, has vehemently contested the notion he was chosen as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Vice Presidential Candidate because he was Asante and of royal stock.

Channel One TV's Umaru Sanda had echoed what he said was popular political sentiment going into the 2024 general elections. He said Napo was expected to harvest great votes for the NPP, given the aforementioned.

This angered Napo who indicated the comment could move him to insult the journalist.

Napo explained his indignation was over how tribalistic the sentiment was. 

He asked if NPP flagbearer Mahamudu Bawumia was, by the same logic, chosen to draw in torrential votes from northern Ghana.

The former Manhyia South MP called comments about his royal status and influence in the Ashanti Region being the reason for his vice presidential nomination as "fringe," and not worthy of contemplation.

In fact, "I never heard all that," he said.

He added, without hesitation, "Bawumia didn't choose me because I was Ashanti." 

The former Energy Minister emphasised, "That is again tribalising elections in this country."

The 2024 elections saw the governing NPP defeated and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by former President John Mahama returned to power in a resounding victory.