Haruna Mohammed, the Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has stated that former President John Dramani Mahama’s involvement in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Council of Elders’ recent directive shows his concern about divisions within the NDC. The Council of Elders issued a directive against early campaigning for the party’s presidential primaries. Mr. Mohammed claims this directive was not an independent decision but had President Mahama’s approval. He suggested this indicates underlying tensions within the NDC as various factions position themselves for future leadership contests.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story, Mr. Mohammed argued that the directive suggests President Mahama is worried about the current state of affairs within the NDC. He believes Mahama took part in the decision-making process and consented to the letter that was issued. This, according to Mr. Mohammed, highlights a clear division within the NDC, with different groups pursuing separate agendas. He stated that President Mahama appears to be pursuing one course of action, while the National Chairman and other party members are pursuing others.
Mr. Mohammed further suggested that President Mahama and some government officials might have preferred candidates in mind for the NDC’s future presidential race. He explained that it would be difficult for the President not to have an interest in who succeeds him as the party's flagbearer. He noted that President Mahama holds a casting vote in the NDC presidential primaries, making his preference for a successor significant. This involvement underscores the president’s vested interest in the party’s leadership transition.
The NPP Deputy General Secretary emphasized that the President's participation in discussions that led to the directive demonstrates the seriousness with which he views the emerging situation. He stated that Mahama taking part in the meeting and raising concerns before the letter was issued shows how deeply he is worried. This action indicates Mahama's active role in attempting to manage internal party affairs and potential conflicts. The date of Joy FM's report was June 1, 2026, providing a specific timestamp for these political observations.
This development within the NDC comes at a time of ongoing political maneuvering in Ghana. Both major parties, the NPP and NDC, are preparing for future general elections. Internal party cohesion and leadership transitions are critical for electoral success. The NPP’s observation of divisions within the NDC could be a strategic political calculation. Economic factors often play a significant role in public perception of political parties. Although this particular report focuses on internal party politics, sustained economic stability and public trust are paramount for any ruling or opposition party in Ghana.
The NDC Council of Elders plays a role in guiding the party. Their directives, especially when purportedly backed by former presidents, carry weight. The NPP's analysis suggests that these internal party dynamics are closely watched by political opponents. The issue of leadership succession and internal party unity has broad implications for the NDC's electoral prospects. Haruna Mohammed's comments highlight the NPP's focus on the strengths and weaknesses of their political rivals. This focus on opposition party dynamics is common in Ghanaian politics.