Deputy National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), George Krobea Asante, has refuted claims that the party’s decision to hold its presidential primaries on January 31, 2026, was intended to favour any particular candidate.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Joshua Kodjo Mensah, Mr. Asante categorically denied the allegations, stressing that the decision was reached through due process with consensus from party stakeholders.
He clarified that the meeting which settled on the date was duly presided over by the First National Vice Chairman in the absence of the National Chairman.
According to him, no objections were raised during the meeting.
“Presiding chairman, because you know, the national chairman was not at place. So, the first national vice chairman automatically assumes the position of the acting chairman and presided over the meeting. He invited a counter motion. Nobody in the meeting raised the counter motion and this is on record. And when there was no counter motion, per convention, what it was supposed to be done was to elect or do voting on the motion that has been upheld. We voted by acclamation and overwhelming majority of members present endorsed the decision,” he said.
Mr. Asante added that while individuals may hold differing opinions, the decision was made in good faith and with broad participation.
“In democratic dispensation, individuals must be encouraged to also give their diverse opinion and that must be respected. But I want to set the record straight that the decision had nothing to do with any of the aspirants. Permit me to also mention that at that said meeting, everybody that matters in NPP was present,” he noted.
Despite the party’s official position, some members have expressed discontent, citing the delay in releasing the report analyzing the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 general elections.
Meanwhile, over 60 NPP Members of Parliament paid a courtesy call on former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia at his private office on Thursday, June 19, pledging support and urging him to officially enter the 2028 flagbearer race.
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Although he has yet to announce his candidacy, Dr. Bawumia is widely seen as the frontrunner.
The January 2026 primary date was approved by both the party’s National Executive Committee and National Council to ensure ample time for campaigning and internal cohesion ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Other prominent contenders who have declared their intention to contest the flagbearer slot include, former Minister for Agriculture Dr. Bryan Acheampong, former Assin Central MP Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Hamdia Mohammed