NPP Council Urges Peaceful Campaign as Oversight Committee Begins Work Ahead of 2026 Primaries
NPP Leadership Pushes for Peaceful, Issue-Based Campaign as Oversight Committee Begins Monitoring
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Council of Elders has called for a calm and respectful presidential primary campaign, as the party’s Ad Hoc Oversight Committee officially begins its mandate.
This committee tasked with supervising campaign activities will observe statements, behaviour, and public engagements of all presidential aspirants and their teams to ensure that campaigns remain civil, devoid of personal attacks, and in alignment with NPP’s core principles.
The announcement comes as the NPP prepares for its presidential primaries scheduled for January 31, 2026, a crucial step toward the 2028 general elections.
In a statement issued this week, the Council encouraged all stakeholders to prioritise unity and discipline. It warned against language or actions that could breed internal division or fuel tensions within the party.
Members, supporters, and the wider public are being urged to report any divisive or inflammatory behaviour by candidates or their campaign teams. Complaints must include credible evidence and can be submitted via phone, WhatsApp, or in writing to Committee Chairman Ing. Dr. Kwasi Abeasi or Secretary Mr. Mark Opoku.
The Council further appealed to aspirants to remain mindful of their conduct, stressing that mutual respect and decorum would be critical to maintaining party cohesion.
With the NPP being one of Ghana’s two major political parties, how it manages its internal elections could significantly impact national political stability. Heated primaries have in the past led to fractured party fronts, which often weaken electoral performance in general elections.
The peaceful conduct of the 2026 primaries will not only determine the party’s strength heading into 2028, but also influence broader political discourse in Ghana—a country seen as a democratic model in West Africa.
This is not the first time the NPP has intervened to manage internal tensions during election seasons. Similar committees were formed in the lead-up to the 2014 and 2020 primaries to curb divisiveness.
Historically, heated rhetoric and factionalism during primary seasons have posed challenges for both the NPP and its main rival, the National Democratic Congress (NDC). In 2007, for instance, the NPP’s crowded flagbearer race left deep internal rifts that took years to mend.
Ghana’s Electoral Commission and civil society groups have long advocated for political parties to police their own members to reduce tension ahead of national polls. The NPP’s current move mirrors similar efforts by the NDC, which has also urged discipline in its internal contests.
According to a 2024 report by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), over 62% of Ghanaians believe that inflammatory political speech contributes to election-related violence. Moves by parties to promote issue-based campaigns could help address these concerns.
As the NPP edges closer to selecting its presidential candidate for 2026, how it handles internal campaigns will serve as a litmus test for party cohesion. The success of the Ad Hoc Committee in enforcing discipline may also set a precedent for other parties navigating competitive primaries.
While the political stakes are high, the Council of Elders is urging all party actors to act in a way that reflects maturity and foresight, echoing the broader national interest in safeguarding Ghana’s peace and democratic integrity.
Read also: NPP Sets October 10 for Presidential Ballot Draw Ahead of 2026 Flagbearer Race
