The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, has defended the party’s decision to elect its 2026 presidential candidate ahead of internal local-level elections, arguing that the move is a strategic measure to protect party unity and prevent internal divisions.
According to Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, the decision is intended to ensure that the flagbearer works with the entire party structure from the outset, rather than presiding over a fractured base.
His defence comes amid criticism from some party stakeholders, including former Energy Minister and presidential hopeful Boakye Agyarko, who has accused the leadership of reversing established procedures. Agyarko described the revised timeline as “political opportunism masquerading as strategy” and urged the National Executive Committee (NEC) to reconsider.
But speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, Nana B rejected that assertion, insisting that the order of elections was carefully considered.
“How will a presidential candidate getting a polling station, constituency, or regional chairman elected more important than becoming president? You will need everybody on board,” he said.
He explained that holding local elections first could undermine the cohesion of the party by encouraging flagbearer aspirants to build rival camps across various levels.
“If you do it the other way round, the moment you announce the timetable for the lower elections, every person interested in the flagbearership will run to the polling stations and form teams at all levels. By the time we finish the elections, the party is fractured and bruised,” he cautioned.
Nana B maintained that the approach adopted by the party was the best option for minimising internal tensions ahead of the 2028 general elections.