EXPOSED: 2026 Presidential primaries: Is NPP Outsmarting a Leaderless NDC?

In a move that has caught many by surprise, the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua, has officially announced that the party will hold its presidential primaries on January 31, 2026.

While the party maintains that this decision is meant to foster unity and avoid internal divisions, political analysts are reading between the lines—and the implications could be far-reaching.

According to sources, the early primaries are not just about peace within the NPP. Insiders suggest the move is part of a calculated strategy to gain psychological and political advantage over their main rivals, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The idea, allegedly, is to avoid the kind of bitter rivalry that has in the past fractured parties and weakened campaigns. By choosing a flagbearer early, the NPP seeks to unite its base, focus on message-building, and start campaigning far ahead of time.

But there's more to it. Some observers say it’s also meant to rattle the NDC, which currently appears to be without a clear successor or leading figure to rally behind for the 2028 general elections.

As it stands, the NDC is yet to project a confident, nationally-accepted candidate, while the NPP reportedly has multiple strong contenders with significant grassroots support. The contrast is stark—and that may be exactly what the NPP wants to highlight by moving first.

“The NPP’s early primaries could be a double-edged sword,” says one political strategist. “On one hand, it allows them to manage internal friction early. But on the other, it sends a strong message to Ghanaians and to the NDC: We are ready, you are not.”

Critics, however, warn that the move might backfire if the process lacks transparency or unity. But for now, the early date is being seen by many as a show of strength—and possibly a tactical ploy to destabilize the opposition before the real race begins.

Whether it’s a strategy rooted in foresight or political chess, one thing is clear: the NPP has made its move, and the ball is now in the NDC’s court.