Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman Paul Awentami Afoko has been cleared to contest the party’s upcoming national executive elections after the National Council unanimously dismissed a petition seeking to disqualify him from the race.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the party’s National Council on Thursday, June 25, where members overwhelmingly rejected the petition—filed by unidentified individuals—and affirmed Afoko’s eligibility to contest the National Chairman position ahead of the opening of nominations.
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. However, speaker after speaker, including national and regional executives, opposed the move, resulting in its outright dismissal.
The development comes just days before the NPP begins the nomination, filing and vetting processes for national executive positions and is expected to clear the way for Afoko’s return bid ahead of the party’s National Delegates’ Conference scheduled for September 2026.
Party insiders believe the petition was a last-minute attempt to block Afoko’s candidacy following his announcement to seek a comeback as National Chairman.
The party’s legal team, together with several senior officials present at the meeting, reportedly argued against the petition, insisting there were no grounds to prevent the former chairman from contesting.
Since declaring his intention to return, Afoko has centred his campaign on what he calls the “3Rs Agenda”—reuniting, rebuilding and returning the NPP to power.
His campaign has focused on promoting unity within the party, healing divisions that emerged after the party’s 2024 electoral defeat, and reconnecting with members who were sidelined or left the party.
Afoko has also pledged to strengthen the grassroots by empowering polling station and constituency executives through improved welfare, better logistics and greater involvement in party decision-making, presenting himself as the leader capable of reorganising the NPP ahead of the next general election.
