NPP National Council dismisses petition seeking to bar Afoko from chairmanship race

The National Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has dismissed a petition seeking to prevent former National Chairman Paul Awentami Afoko from contesting the party’s upcoming national chairmanship election.

The petition, submitted by unidentified individuals, was tabled before the Council on Thursday, June 25, 2026, but was unanimously rejected after deliberations, affirming Mr Afoko’s eligibility to run for the party’s top position.

Sources within the party indicate that several national and regional officers opposed the move, while the party’s legal team and senior leaders argued against disqualifying the former chairman.

The development comes ahead of the opening of nominations for the party’s national executive positions, with many viewing the petition as a last-minute response to Mr Afoko’s decision to contest the chairmanship ahead of the National Delegates Conference scheduled for September 2026.

Since announcing his intention to return as National Chairman, Mr Afoko has centred his campaign on the “3Rs Agenda” – reuniting, rebuilding and returning the NPP to power (My agenda is to reunite, restructure, restrengthen NPP – Paul Afoko).

His campaign has focused on party unity and reconciliation, aiming to bring together factions that emerged after the party’s 2024 electoral defeat and re-engage disillusioned members.

Mr Afoko has also advocated for greater empowerment of polling station executives, constituency executives and the party’s grassroots membership, emphasising improved welfare, better logistics and increased inclusion in decision-making processes as part of efforts to reorganise and strengthen the NPP ahead of the 2028 general elections.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE