NPP to Pick Flagbearer in January, 2026 Ahead of 2028 Polls
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially scheduled its presidential primaries for Saturday, January 31, 2026, as the party begins preparations for the 2028 general elections.
The decision was taken during a key meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. The announcement was made by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua.
According to the NEC, the date selection falls within the party’s constitutional framework and does not require any amendments to the NPP Constitution. The National Council has since endorsed the date, setting the stage for what is expected to be a keenly contested race to select the party’s next presidential candidate.
Party officials say comprehensive guidelines for nominations, campaign timelines, and a code of conduct for aspirants will be released in the coming weeks. The NEC also assured party members and the public that the primaries would be conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner in line with the party’s democratic ethos.
The upcoming contest is expected to attract both experienced political figures and fresh contenders eager to lead the NPP into the next electoral cycle.
In the last presidential primaries held in November 2023, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia emerged as the party’s flagbearer, securing a commanding 61.47% of the valid votes cast—equivalent to 118,210 votes. He was followed by former Assin Central MP, Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who garnered 71,996 votes (37.41%). Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Hon. Francis Addai-Nimoh obtained 1,459 votes (0.76%) and 781 votes (0.41%) respectively.
Dr. Bawumia made history in that race, becoming the first aspirant since 1992 to cross the 60% threshold in an NPP presidential primary and the first from the Northern Region to lead the party.
While Dr. Bawumia is yet to declare his intentions regarding the upcoming primaries, political analysts widely consider him a potential frontrunner should he decide to run again.
Meanwhile, Kennedy Agyapong has signaled his readiness to re-enter the contest. His brother, Ralph Agyapong, confirmed in an interview with Kings Jersey TV in the United States on March 15, 2025, that the former MP is preparing to compete in the 2026 primaries.
“I can state with confidence that he will contest the presidency or the NPP primaries next year,” Ralph Agyapong stated, noting that internal party dynamics have evolved in Kennedy’s favour and suggesting an early congress could see his name back on the ballot.
As the NPP gears up for another crucial internal election, party members and political observers alike will be closely monitoring declarations, alliances, and campaign strategies in what promises to be a defining moment for the party’s future direction.
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