The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially set Saturday, January 31, 2026, as the date for its presidential primary to elect a flagbearer for the 2028 general elections.
The date which was made public by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, followed a crucial meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) held yesterday Tuesday, June 17, 2025. The proposal for an early Presidential Primary was put forward by former General Secretary Kwabena Agyapong and accepted by NEC by consensus. According Mr. Kodua the decision was subsequently endorsed by the National Council which has the authority to vary the provisions in the party’s constitution.
“The Committee also spoke about the time for our presidential primaries. And again, the Committee agrees that that decision does not warrant amendment of our Constitution. And the National Council today also made the decision that the date for our presidential primaries is set for January 31, 2026. That will be the date that we shall hold our presidential primaries,” Justin Kodua told the media after the meeting
Mr. Kodua explained the date for the primaries falls under the mandate of the National Council per the party’s constitution and thus will not require further approval from the national delegates conference.
The announcement gives a clears the path for former Vice President and 2024 candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, Abetifi MP Dr. Bryan Acheampong, former education minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, MP for Okaikwei Central Patrick Yaw Boamah who have all being gearing up to contest.
The decision to vary the process of holding primaries in the party has however not been receptive to everybody. Deputy Director Communications for the party Ernest Owusu Bempah has publicly kicked against the move warning of fierce resistance.
The party is expected to issue detailed guidelines outlining nomination procedures, timelines for campaign activities, and a code of conduct for all aspirants.
The part is scheduled to host its National Delegates Conference late July ahead of the Presidential Primaries next year.
The NPP has alSo set up a nine-member committee by chaired by former first deputy speaker Joseph Osei Owusu, to oversee the planning of the national delegates conference.This conference is expected to consider and adopt several proposals for constitutional amendments within the party.
Mr Kodua explained, “Because there is going to be a proposal or motion for amendment of our constitution, a planning committee has been put in place.”
The proposals includes a possible expansion of the Electoral College to include all former MPs, Ministers of state and MMDCEs.
