'They fear Asiedu Nketiah' – NPP communicator alleges

A communications team member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ibrahim Adjei, has claimed that some leading figures within the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) are anxious about the possibility of NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah contesting the party’s future presidential primaries.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily show on May 25, 2026, Adjei argued that Asiedu Nketiah remains one of the most influential figures within the NDC and commands significant support among the party’s grassroots members.

“The NDC, I'm talking the Ato Forsons, Haruna Idrisus, these are the names that we're hearing, Julius Debra, Vice President, maybe, they fear his candidacy,” he said.

According to Adjei, Asiedu Nketiah’s political strength stems from his long-standing connection with the party's base and his deep understanding of the NDC's internal dynamics.

“Because he's in touch with the grassroots. He is totally embedded, and he speaks to them,” he stated.

Adjei suggested that recent comments by the NDC chairman indicate an intention to position himself for a future leadership contest within the party.

“And what he's doing now is saying to the NDC, the delegates, though you want to say, where's the nomination form or what have you, you and I and our viewers understand that the political season for the NDC is upon us.

“He's saying that if not for him removing the leadership, and he's given the reasons… we were not going to win the election in 2024,” he said.

The NPP communicator argued that Asiedu Nketiah is using the NDC's 2024 electoral victory to strengthen his standing among delegates by highlighting his role in internal decisions that preceded the election.

“Because now if you're trying to tell me that you won this election, that's what he's saying to the delegates. I did this, and we won,” Adjei remarked.

He further claimed that the NDC chairman's influence within the party should not be underestimated.

“When they were campaigning in Nima, it was only him that I saw. Asiedu Nketiah. In the car, an open-top car with Baba Jamal. And it tells you the strength of Asiedu Nketiah. If somebody thinks that he should not be taken seriously, they should really go back to political school,” he said.

“The guy is clued up politically. You know, he's really resourced himself over the years,” he said.

Drawing on his observations of NDC grassroots politics, Adjei predicted that Asiedu Nketiah could emerge as a formidable contender, should he decide to contest for the party’s presidential slot.

“And he's likely to win the candidacy …And that electoral franchise is with the NDC rank and file. And they're the ones who are going to decide this election,” he said.

Adjei also referenced longstanding reports of tensions between some senior NDC figures, including President John Dramani Mahama and Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, though he noted that Mahama's appointment of Haruna Iddrisu demonstrated political pragmatism.

“Haruna Idrisu is such a good material… you cannot, if you want a legacy, to leave him out of your administration,” he said.

His comments come amid growing political discussions about the future leadership of the NDC beyond President Mahama's current administration, with several names already being mentioned by political observers as possible contenders for the party's next flagbearer position.

NA/VPO