Accra: As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) gears up for its flagbearer elections on January 31, 2026, the political landscape is heating up with five aspirants vying for the leadership position ahead of the 2028 Presidential Elections. Among these aspirants, only one hails from the Northern part of the country, while the rest are from the Southern half, sparking discussions about tribal politics within the party.
According to Ghana Web, the NPP’s parliamentary presence in the Northern regions has been limited. In the five Northern Regions-Upper East, Upper West, North East, Northern, and Savannah-the NPP failed to secure any parliamentary seats in the Upper East and Upper West regions, as all constituencies went to the National Democratic Congress (NDC). In the Northern, North East, and Savannah regions, which have a total of 31 seats, the NPP secured only 10, with the remaining seats going to the NDC.
In the Northern Region, the NPP won six out of 18 constituencies. The MPs representing these constituencies are Adam Mohammed Amin (Karaga), Dominic Nitiwul (Bimbila), Iddrisu Habib (Tolon), Sulemana Alhassan Tampuli (Gushegu), Matthew Nyindam (Kpandi), and Hajia Abdul Aziz Fatahiya (Savelegu). In the North East Region, the NPP and NDC each secured three seats out of six. The NPP MPs are Mustapha Usif (Yagba/Kubori), Mahama Tia Abdul Kabiru (Walewale), and Mumuni Muhammad Nuridern (Nalerigu/Gambaga). In the Savannah Region, the NPP managed to win only one seat out of seven, represented by Samuel Abu Jinapor in the Damango Constituency.
All ten NPP Members of Parliament from these Northern regions have publicly declared their support for Alhaji Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, the sole Northerner among the five aspirants. The other aspirants include Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum, and Ing Kwabena Agyapong. This alignment has prompted Ghanaians, particularly NPP delegates, to reflect on the role of tribal allegiances in the party’s internal politics.