The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Organisation Committee Chairperson, Anthony Karbo, has firmly rejected claims that the party’s upcoming national executive elections will produce a “Bawumia slate” of candidates loyal to the vice president, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. The elections are set for October 3 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
Speaking in an interview with Citi FM ahead of the vote, Karbo said the idea of a slate of candidates tied to the party’s flagbearer is “not possible”. “There can’t be. There can’t be,” he said. Karbo insisted delegates must focus on the abilities of aspirants to run the party effectively rather than their closeness to Dr Bawumia.
“We are not voting for people who are close to somebody. We are voting for efficient party officers who can help deliver the project,” Karbo added.
The NPP is set to elect officers for nine national positions, including National Chairman, General Secretary, National Organiser, National Women’s Organiser, and National Youth Organiser. These officers will have the responsibility of organising the party and preparing it for the 2028 general elections.
Karbo stressed that the presidential candidate for the party has already been decided. “The question of the presidential candidate is settled,” he said. “The immediate task is to elect executives capable of helping the party prepare for 2028.”
The party cleared 47 aspirants to contest the national positions, though some have since withdrawn, changing the number of candidates in the race.
The suggestion that the election could revolve around a slate linked to Dr Bawumia has circulated in some political circles, but Karbo’s comments make clear that the contest should centre on competence and organisational skills. He urged delegates to consider the ability of candidates to strengthen the party machinery rather than their political allegiances within the NPP.
The national executive elections are a major event for the NPP, coming ahead of the 2028 general elections. The party’s leadership will need to coordinate efforts to maintain support and manage internal party affairs.
Karbo’s remarks come at a time when Ghana’s political parties are under pressure to unify ahead of the next election cycle. The NPP’s choice of officers will shape how the party approaches these challenges.
The October 3 election in Kumasi will reveal whether the delegates heed Karbo’s call to focus on organisational capacity or if factional loyalties play a larger part in their decisions.
According to Joy Online.
