A new nationwide survey by Africa Policy Lens (APL) has revealed a tightly contested race for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2028 flagbearer position, with Johnson Asiedu Nketia and Julius Debrah emerging as the leading contenders.
The survey, conducted between April 17 and April 19, 2026, gathered responses from 2,408 constituency executives across all 276 constituencies, providing what APL describes as a “timely snapshot” of internal party dynamics.
Findings show Asiedu Nketia leading with 31.9%, closely followed by Julius Debrah at 30.1%, indicating a narrow margin of less than two percentage points. The report notes that the results point to a “competitive but structurally balanced” contest, with neither candidate able to establish a clear lead.
A similar pattern emerged when respondents were asked who they would vote for if elections were held immediately. Asiedu Nketia secured 32.7%, while Debrah recorded 30.9%, reinforcing what the report describes as a “deadlock” at the top.
Beyond the two frontrunners, the survey highlights the continued relevance of other contenders. Cassiel Ato Forson was identified by 27.1% of respondents as the closest competitor, followed by Debrah and Haruna Iddrisu, who each recorded around 15–16% in perceived competitiveness.
According to the report, this suggests that while the race is currently dominated by two candidates, “the broader field still holds latent influence over the eventual outcome.”
The survey indicates that leadership qualities, rather than policy proposals, are the primary drivers of voter choice among constituency executives.
Top considerations include: Experience and track record (66.1%), Personal integrity and honesty (56.8%), Ability to unite the party (46.8%) and Grassroots appeal (46.5%).
Policy proposals ranked lower at 27.9%, underscoring what the report describes as a contest defined largely by “credibility, trust, and party cohesion.”
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APL concludes that the race remains “highly competitive but inconclusive,” with both leading candidates maintaining stable but limited support bases.
“The most defining feature of the current landscape is that neither of the two leading candidates has secured a decisive advantage,” the report states, adding that the outcome will depend on each candidate’s ability to expand beyond their core support.
The survey used a structured questionnaire distributed via bulk SMS to constituency executives nationwide. Participation was voluntary, and while APL notes the possibility of self-selection bias, it maintains that the large sample size and nationwide reach provide a credible reflection of grassroots sentiment.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
