The New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman hopeful, Paul Afoko, has called on party members to put aside internal divisions and unite behind a common purpose, warning that continued infighting could further weaken the party’s electoral fortunes.
Addressing constituency executives in Wa on Thursday, June 25, 2026, as part of his campaign for the NPP’s National Chairman position, Afoko attributed the party’s declining parliamentary representation to what he described as years of internal exclusion, factionalism and failure to prioritize party unity.
He recalled that during his tenure as National Chairman, the NPP secured 169 parliamentary seats before dropping to 137 in the subsequent election, a decline he blamed on the party’s decision to sideline some of its own members.
According to him, the party narrowly retained its parliamentary majority after an independent candidate from Fomena, who had broken away from the NPP, won the seat and later pledged support to the party in Parliament.
“We kept doing what we wanted instead of what power demands, and today we have fallen from 169 seats to just 87. That should concern every member of this party,” he said.
Afoko stressed that the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 general elections was a collective failure and should not be blamed solely on the party’s presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
He argued that many party supporters chose to stay away from the polls because they felt neglected or alienated by the party leadership.
“It is all of us who must take responsibility. One person cannot be blamed for the outcome. We must bring everyone back into the fold if we want to return to power,” he stated.
As part of his efforts to rebuild unity, Paul Afoko disclosed that he had held separate meetings with the NPP’s 2024 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former President John Agyekum Kufuor before announcing his intention to contest the National Chairman position.
He said both former presidents encouraged him to pursue his ambition, with former President Akufo-Addo assuring him of his support should party delegates elect him.
Mr. Afoko also pledged to mobilize resources to strengthen the party, recalling that when he first assumed office as National Chairman, the NPP had only GH¢1,900 in its bank account, compelling him to rely on personal resources and support from friends to keep the party running.
“I have come back because I love this party. If delegates entrust me with the mandate again, I will ensure the party has the resources it needs to function effectively,” he said.
Meanwhile, leading the campaign, Ing. Francis Addai-Nimoh argued that the scale of the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections requires an experienced and unifying leader to reorganize the party ahead of the 2028 polls.
He noted that the NPP failed to win a single parliamentary seat in the Upper West, Upper East, Volta and Oti regions, accounting for a combined 53 constituencies, while securing only five seats across the Savannah, Bono East, Bono, Western North and Ahafo regions.
According to him, reclaiming lost political ground would require “an extraordinary and amazing person” capable of rebuilding the party’s structures and restoring confidence among disillusioned members.
Ing. Addai-Nimoh described Paul Afoko as a leader whose past experiences, including his suspension from the party, had prepared him to reconcile aggrieved members and heal internal divisions.
He dismissed suggestions that the NPP should not have both a northern flagbearer and a northern National Chairman, insisting that competence rather than geographical origin should determine leadership.
“We need the best person for the job. If Mr. Afoko has the experience, discipline and competence to rebuild this party, then delegates should give him the opportunity,” he said.
He urged party members to support Afoko’s bid, expressing confidence that his leadership would help reposition the NPP for victory in the 2028 general elections.
By Ibrahim Abubakari Wangara
