A last-minute attempt to block former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Awentami Afoko, from contesting the party’s upcoming national executive elections has failed after the NPP’s National Council unanimously dismissed a petition seeking to disqualify him.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the party’s National Council—its second-highest decision-making body—held on Thursday, June 25, 2026, clearing the way for Mr. Afoko to contest the National Chairman position ahead of the party’s National Delegates Conference scheduled for September.
Sources familiar with the meeting disclosed that an undisclosed petitioner had submitted a petition urging the Council to bar Mr. Afoko from contesting. Although the contents of the petition were not made public, it was tabled before the Council by the Chairman of the party’s Council of Elders for consideration.
However, the proposal reportedly failed to gain traction, with speaker after speaker opposing the move. Senior national and regional party executives, together with members of the party’s legal team, are said to have argued that there were no sufficient grounds to prevent the former chairman from seeking re-election.
Following deliberations, the National Council unanimously rejected the petition and affirmed that Mr. Afoko remains eligible to contest the National Chairman race.
The development comes just days before the NPP is expected to open nominations for its national executive positions, including the office of National Chairman.
Party insiders believe the petition may have been prompted by Mr. Afoko’s recent declaration of his intention to reclaim the chairmanship, describing it as a last-minute effort to derail his campaign before the contest officially begins.
Since announcing his bid, Mr. Afoko has centred his campaign on what he describes as the 3Rs Agenda—Reuniting, Rebuilding and Returning the NPP to power.
His campaign has focused heavily on party unity and reconciliation, with visits to constituencies across the country aimed at healing divisions that emerged following the party’s internal leadership disputes and its defeat in the 2024 general elections.
Mr. Afoko has also pledged to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures by empowering polling station and constituency executives through improved welfare, logistics support and greater participation in party decision-making.
According to his campaign message, rebuilding the NPP from the grassroots and restoring internal cohesion are essential steps toward positioning the party for victory in the 2028 general elections.
