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Legislators

NPP Presidential Primaries: Early Start, Internal Infighting, and High Stakes

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) prepares for its presidential primaries, set for January 31, 2026, the party's leadership is facing a delicate balancing act between choosing a flagbearer early and maintaining internal unity. Five aspirants, including former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Member of Parliament Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, have launched their campaigns, with some engaging in harsh rhetoric. The party's leadership has issued guidelines to promote decent campaigning and reduce discord, but the high stakes have led to increased infighting.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NPP's early congress for the presidential primaries has sparked debate within the party, with critics warning of internal unity being compromised.
  • Five aspirants are vying for the party's flagbearer position: Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Bryan Acheampong, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Kwabena Agyepong.
  • Recent polls by Global Info Analytics show Dr. Bawumia leading with 57% of preference among NPP voters, followed by Kennedy Agyapong at 29%.
  • Among NPP delegates, Dr. Bawumia commands 47% support, while Kennedy Agyapong has 17%.
  • The party's leadership has referred some aspirants to the disciplinary committee for breaching the party's code of ethics.
  • Dr. Bernard Tutu Boahene, a political marketing strategist, has urged the party's leadership to build trust among all aspirants to ensure party unity.
  • The NPP's decision to go for early congress is intended to give the winner more time to campaign and present policy positions, but it may also lead to deeper wounds and potentially fracturing relationships within the party.

Statistics:

  • 57% of NPP voters prefer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the party's flagbearer, according to a September 29, 2025 poll by Global Info Analytics.
  • 29% of NPP voters prefer Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, followed by Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum at 6%, Bryan Acheampong at 5%, and Kwabena Agyepong at 3%.
  • Among NPP delegates, 47% support Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, while 17% support Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
  • The NPP has referred two aspirants to the disciplinary committee for breaching the party's code of ethics.

Sources:

  • "NPP sets January 31, 2026, for presidential primaries" (Ghana News Agency, October 14, 2025)
  • "Recent polls: Who holds the edge?" (Ghana News Agency, October 14, 2025)
  • Interview with Dr. Bernard Tutu Boahene, Lecturer and Political Marketing Strategist at the University of Education, Winneba (Ghana News Agency, October 14, 2025)

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