Ibrahim Adjei, a communications team member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has claimed that some leading figures within the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) are afraid of Johnson Asiedu Nketiah’s candidacy.
The NPP man argued that Asiedu Nketiah remains one of the most influential figures within the NDC, highlighting that he commands significant support among the party’s grassroots members.
He highlighted that Asiedu Nketiah’s political strength stems from his long-standing connection with the party’s base and his understanding of the NDC’s internal dynamics.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily show on May 25, 2026, Ibrahim Adjei argued, “The NDC, I’m talking the Ato Forsons, Haruna Idrisus, these are the names that we’re hearing, Julius Debra, Vice President, maybe, they fear his candidacy”.
“Because he’s in touch with the grassroots. He is totally embedded, and he speaks to them,” he stated.
“And what he’s doing now is saying to the NDC, the delegates, though you want to say, where’s the nomination form or what have you, you and I and our viewers understand that the political season for the NDC is upon us.
“He’s saying that if not for him removing the leadership, and he’s given the reasons… we were not going to win the election in 2024,” he said.
He further argued that Asiedu Nketiah is using the NDC’s 2024 electoral victory to strengthen his standing, adding that the NDC chairman’s influence within the party should not be underestimated.
Ibrahim Adjei, “Because now if you’re trying to tell me that you won this election, that’s what he’s saying to the delegates. I did this, and we won”.
“When they were campaigning in Nima, it was only him that I saw. Asiedu Nketiah. In the car, an open-top car with Baba Jamal. And it tells you the strength of Asiedu Nketiah. If somebody thinks that he should not be taken seriously, they should really go back to political school,” he said.
“The guy is clued up politically. You know, he’s really resourced himself over the years,” he said.
“And he’s likely to win the candidacy …And that electoral franchise is with the NDC rank and file. And they’re the ones who are going to decide this election,” he said.
The NPP man further cited alleged tensions between some senior NDC figures, including President John Dramani Mahama and Haruna Iddrisu, adding that Mahama’s appointment of Haruna Iddrisu demonstrated political pragmatism.
He added, “Haruna Iddrisu is such a good material… you cannot, if you want a legacy, to leave him out of your administration”.
His comments come on the back of Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, who claimed that the party’s sweeping victory in the 2024 general elections was due to the change in parliamentary leadership structure.
The NDC Chairman, in a viral video, has shed more light on the internal discussions that led to the removal of former Minority Leader of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu and Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed Mubarak-Muntaka, from their leadership.
According to Asiedu Nketia, the NDC won the 2024 elections because the Minority leadership changed.
He disclosed that he told the then-former President Mahama that they needed to change the forward line of Parliament, but he disagreed with me.
According to him, he had to assume the role of a “coach” of the party heading into the polls, adding that there was initial disagreement from President John Dramani Mahama over the proposed changes.
Speaking during his “Thank You” tour in a viral video, Asiedu Nketiah explained, “I said we had to change the forward line of Parliament; otherwise, it would be difficult for us to win the election. President Mahama disagreed with me, but I said, ‘Look, you elected me as chairman of this party. I am the coach of the party going into the election, so allow me to make the changes that will help us win. When we win, we will all enjoy together”.
“Then I made the changes. I made my brother, Haruna, and Muntaka step aside, and people started thinking that someone who has been my friend for more than 20 years had suddenly become my enemy. He can never become my enemy. But I am a coach, and I must study how our opponents are playing so I can properly arrange my team for victory.
“When we made the rearrangement and went into the election, the victory the NDC achieved in 2024, have you seen such a victory in Ghana since the beginning of the Fourth Republic? We won. After the victory, I told President Mahama that we could not ignore Muntaka and Haruna in the formation of our government, so they needed to be given major positions. Mahama agreed, and they were given those positions,” he stated.
He further urged party members to avoid internal factionalism saying, “And now we are all working together. So if people in Tamale are forming groups such as Haruna group, Asiedu Nketiah group, and so on, that is your own issue in Tamale; it is not our issue”.
