NPP Primaries: The biggest losers

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) held its national executive elections a week ago, on October 3, 2026, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, to elect officers who will steer the party’s affairs for the next four years and lead its preparations for the 2028 general election.

The polls attracted more than 7,000 delegates and followed the party’s earlier internal elections at the polling station, constituency and regional levels.

The national executive elections produced several surprises, with some prominent figures failing to retain their positions while others suffered unexpected defeats.

From incumbent executives who lost their seats to big names who fell short of expectations, here are some of the biggest losers in the party’s elections.

Adenta Kumi

Alfred Ababio Kumi, popularly known as Adenta Kumi, suffered one of the most decisive defeats in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) national executive elections held on October 3, 2026, in Kumasi. He contested for the position of National Youth Organiser but failed to make a significant impression among delegates.

Kumi polled just 25 votes, finishing last in the race, which was won by Abanga Fuseini Yakubu with 1,550 votes. Clement Opoku Gyamfi placed second with 631 votes, while Michael Osei Boateng secured 78 votes. Chris Lloyd Nii Kwei Asamoah and Vera Oye Bram Larbi received 46 and 44 votes, respectively.



In his reaction after the election, Kumi accepted responsibility for the outcome and congratulated the winner and the other successful candidates.

He acknowledged that popularity, sacrifice and hard work alone were not enough to secure victory, adding that resources, organisation, strategy and preparation were also important. He pledged to learn from the defeat and return wiser.

Mustapha Hamid



Former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid narrowly missed out on the three national vice-chairmanship positions that were available. Despite entering the contest with considerable political experience and a strong showing in an earlier opinion poll, he finished fourth in a race that offered only three positions.

Hamid secured 2,956 votes, falling just 31 votes short of Nana Akomea, who obtained 2,987 votes to claim the third and final vice-chairmanship slot. Kojo Fosu Boadu and Henry Nana Boakye secured the first and second positions with 3,160 and 3,061 votes, respectively.

Hamid, who previously served as Minister for Information and later as NPA chief executive, accepted the outcome and congratulated the successful candidates. He said the party’s interest was more important than his personal ambition and pledged to support its efforts to reorganise and prepare for the 2028 general election.

Eugene Antwi

Former Member of Parliament for Subin, Eugene Boakye Antwi, suffered a heavy defeat in his bid to become the General Secretary of the NPP. He was among three challengers seeking to unseat incumbent Justin Frimpong Kodua, but his performance fell well short of what was needed to secure the position.

Antwi polled just 162 votes, finishing a distant third behind Kodua, who retained the position with 4,486 votes, and former Member of Parliament for Ngleshie Amanfro, Sylvester Tetteh, who obtained 1,340 votes. Dr Charles Dwamena finished fourth with 126 votes.

The figures exposed the gap between Antwi and the incumbent, who secured an overwhelming mandate from delegates. Kodua's performance demonstrated the strength of his support within the party, despite his being blamed for the party’s poor performance in the 2024 general election.

Nana Akomea



Nana Akomea, a former Minister of Information and one of the closest confidants of NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, secured the position of Third National Vice Chairman in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) national executive elections on October 3, 2026, but his placement fell short of his own expectations.

Despite winning one of the three available vice-chairmanship positions, Akomea had expected to finish either first or second in the contest.

Akomea polled 2,987 votes, placing third behind Kojo Fosu Boadu, popularly known as Kojo Bamba, who secured 3,116 votes to become First Vice Chairman, and Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, who obtained 3,061 votes for the Second Vice Chairman position.

Speaking after the election, Akomea admitted that he was disappointed with the outcome, although he acknowledged that the race had been competitive. He noted that the differences in votes among the leading candidates were relatively small, with only 129 votes separating him from Bamba.

Akomea also attributed Bamba’s performance partly to his campaign message, which he described as different from that of the other leading contenders. While several candidates highlighted their experience and years of service to the party, Akomea said Bamba focused on protecting delegates and the electoral process. The result left Akomea with a national leadership position, but not the higher ranking he had hoped to attain.

Boakye Agyarko



Former Energy Minister Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko suffered a setback in his bid to become National Chairman of the NPP. He contested the position against former General Secretary John Boadu, former National Chairman Paul Afoko and Sammy Crabbe at the party's national executive elections.

Agyarko polled 2,408 votes, finishing second behind Boadu, who won the contest with 2,888 votes. The margin between the two candidates was 480 votes, giving Boadu a clear victory in a race that featured several experienced party figures.

Although Agyarko secured substantial support from delegates, his tally was not enough to overcome Boadu's campaign. His second-place finish also meant he would not lead the party as National Chairman during the four-year period in which the new executives are expected to reorganise the NPP and prepare for the 2028 elections.

Agyarko's defeat was particularly notable because he was regarded by a number of political analysts as the best candidate for the position and the only person who could bring the needed unity to the NPP.

Chris Lloyd Nii Kwei Asamoah



Chris Lloyd Nii Kwei Asamoah, the outgoing Deputy National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), suffered a disappointing defeat in his bid to become the party’s National Youth Organiser. Despite his experience in the party’s youth leadership, he failed to secure enough votes to succeed Salam Mustapha.

Asamoah polled just 46 votes, finishing fifth among the six candidates who contested the position. Abanga Fuseini Yakubu won the race with 1,550 votes, followed by Clement Opoku Gyamfi, who secured 631 votes. Michael Osei Boateng obtained 78 votes, while Vera Oye Bram-Larbi received 44 votes and Alfred Ababio Kumi polled 25.

His performance was particularly underwhelming given that he was already serving as Deputy National Youth Organiser, a position that placed him within the party’s national youth leadership structure. However, his experience in the role did not translate into substantial support from delegates, leaving him well behind the leading contenders.

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