The Greatest Storm Of The New Patriotic Party -Michael Kessey (Akissiway)

The New Patriotic Party (NPP), which is the largest and strongest opposition party in the Ghanaian political arena, finds itself in a difficult situation in its quest to choose a presidential candidate to lead them come 2028 general elections. The element in the party is rapidly glowing, and time is gradually running out. It was necessary for the party, now in opposition, to quickly and soundly prepare for the herculean task ahead of them as their major political opponents, the NDC are doing the best they can to fulfil the promises they made to the good people of Ghana before the 2028 general elections.
They know the sitting president has only one term to serve, and for that matter, their political rivals will have no option other than to present a fresh presidential candidate that will make the 2028 general elections open. Even though Ghana’s electoral law had gives every political party an eight (8)-year term since Ghana became a democratic state. The NPP was humiliated in the last general elections to the extent that they are now not on par with the NDC when we talk of numbers in parliament, but the NPP minority has matched the NDC majority ‘‘boot for boot’’ when it comes to debating issues in parliament.
It is good for our democracy to have a strong and formidable opposition party that is ever ready to put the government on its toes to do the right things to better the lives of Ghanaians. In the 2024 general elections, the NPP presented the former Vice President Dr. Mahamud Bawumia, as their presidential candidates to face His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, who had suffered humiliating defeats in the hands of the former president Nana Akufo Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo in 2016 and 2020. Even though, their presidential candidate in 2016 was able to secure 34% and 46.20% in both elections. The NDC thought it wise to maintain him for they believe in the fact that he who fights and runs away lives to fight another day and it was imperative for all the party members to rally behind him to reclaim power for the party.
There have been a lot of fake prophecies and polls about who will lead the NPP in the upcoming presidential primaries scheduled for 31st January, 2026.The decision now rest on the NPP delegates to make the right choice. They must not be deceived by the fake prophecies and polls that are out there in both the print and electronic media. The delegates must have at the back of their minds the choice they will make in terms of who leads the party will determine the outcome of NPP’s chances come 2028 general elections. Surprisingly, some aspirants and their followers who have not spared our ears on the fact that they believe in democracy and for that matter would respectfully conduct their campaigns based on issues and not what we have seen them do anytime they are giving the chance to talk on radio and television.
It’s worrisome to see some of our aspirants and their followers take delight in wasting their precious time attacking the credibility of other aspirants having forgotten after the primaries whoever emerges our presidential candidate will battle it out with the ruling party’s candidate. If you ask any NPP member do you want to see the party in opposition for eight (8) years not a single soul would loved to see the party in opposition till 2032. I worried because in the unlikely event if any of the aspirants wins the primaries selling him to the good people of Ghana will be very difficult for the party to campaign for him without spending our precious time doing damage control instead of telling the electorate the need to vote for our presidential candidate.
Most of the NPP followers are of the view that the NDC had deceived Ghanaians with the 24-hour economy and resetting agenda and that was the reason why they booted the NPP out and not because the candidate they presented was not attractive to the Ghanaian electorate. It’s a pity the opposition party (NPP) finds themselves in a difficult situation as to whether to present a fresh candidate or maintain the former Vice President Dr. Mahamud Bawumia who lost the last elections to His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, who had also lost the previous elections on two (2) occasions to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Some NPP members think the dynamism in 2028 is not the same as that of 2024 general elections as the NDC will have to bring in a new candidate that has not contested the presidential elections before. It’s a fact that there is too much tension in the upcoming internal elections and the National Executive members of the party have severe headache and sleepless night because nobody knows what will happen after the elections. In as much as some members believe in presenting a fresh candidate others too think the best for the party is to Dr. Mahamud Bawumia another chance to lead the NPP once again since the likes of John Agyekum Kufour, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and the Late Professor Adu Boahen of blessed memory were giving the second chance.
Clandestine reports have it that, some party -loyal and faithful members who are behind the scene and have not come out publicly to declare their support for the two aspirants whose name is making waves want the party to opt for either Dr. Yaw Adutwum or Ing. Kwabena Agyapong on the basis of how they have conducted their campaigns devoid of insults and personal attacks on their competitors. These two candidates have clearly shown they will be ready to team up and work with whoever becomes the flag -bearer of the party after the primaries all because NPP is the only party they have and don’t want the party to tear apart just because the party needs a presidential candidate to lead them come 2028 general elections.
Some political analysts have also join the fray simply because the NPP finds it too tough to ‘‘ stick their necks ’’on a particular candidate and their passionate appeal to the party is that the best way to go is to groom a new person after giving Dr. Mahamud Bawumia a second chance. They are worried over the increasing number of factions which have found their ways into the camps of the major opposition party because of presidential contest which can lead to one-party state if they fail to present a united front. Ultimately, the New Patriotic Party’s choice of candidates for 2028 will be defining moment for the party. Balancing the need for fresh ideas with the experience of seasoned candidate like Dr. Mahamud Bawumia will be crucial. The party’s ability to unite behind a candidate could determine its success in Ghana’s political landscape.