The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is grappling with growing internal unrest as party supporters in several constituencies includingTalensi in the Upper East Region and Okaikwei North and Tema in the Greater Accra Region—voice strong opposition to the nomination of key municipal and district executives, citing concerns over party loyalty, fairness, and grassroots representation.
Talensi
In the Talensi Constituency, tensions flared up after the announcement of John Millim Naabwomya as the nominee for District Chief Executive (DCE), a decision made public on Friday, April 11.
Shortly after the announcement, suspected arsonists set the NDC constituency office ablaze—an incident many see as linked to the fallout over Naabwomya’s nomination.
During a press conference held on Sunday, April 13, in Tongo, a group of aggrieved NDC members led by spokesperson Charles King Luu rejected Naabwomya’s appointment.
They cited his alleged close ties with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), warning that his presence in leadership could compromise party cohesion and electoral success in the 2028 general elections.
“His known affiliation with the NPP makes his nomination unacceptable to the base of our party,” Luu stated, urging former President John Mahama, who is expected to play a central role in appointments, to reconsider the decision in the interest of preserving unity within the NDC stronghold.
This isn’t the first time tensions have emerged in Talensi over executive appointments.
Local factions have historically influenced the party’s internal dynamics, often pushing back against decisions perceived to be top-down or influenced by outside forces.
Okaikwei North
Meanwhile, in the capital, a youth group affiliated with the NDC in the Okaikwei North Constituency has issued a stern warning to the party leadership.
At a separate press briefing on April 13, the group expressed deep frustration over growing rumours that their preferred candidate, Abdul-Rashid Issah, may be overlooked for the role of Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Okaikwei North Municipality.
Led by Abass Yusif Hussein, a branch executive of the party, the group accused the national leadership of marginalizing loyal grassroots supporters.
They fear that a nominee from a sister constituency may be imposed instead, a move they say will demoralize the rank and file of the party.
“As an MCE, Abdul-Rashid will bring inclusiveness, harmony, and participatory governance,” Hussein said.
“Any attempt to bypass him will be met with resistance, and we risk massive apathy in future elections.”
Tema
Tensions reached a boiling point in the port city of Tema as angry youth associated with the NDC took to the streets to protest the rumored nomination of Ebi Bright as the new Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE).
The demonstrators, predominantly from the Tema East constituency, are demanding that President Mahama appoint a native of Tema to lead the municipality, accusing party leadership of ignoring grassroots sentiments and local participation in decision-making.
The protest, which took place outside the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, saw dozens of young people chanting, drumming, and setting tyres ablaze to draw attention to what they described as an imposition of a non-indigene on their community.
The protesters decried what they called a betrayal of party processes and traditional structures, insisting that the widely rumored appointment of Ebi Bright is both unfair and illegitimate.
“We are hearing that Ebi Bright is to be made the Mayor of Tema, but that is not going to happen. She was not even part of the whole process, so why are they bringing her to be the mayor? This is something we will not understand,” a protestor told the media.
They claim that Patience Ankamah Addo, a local contender, had emerged as the preferred candidate following internal consultations and was widely believed to be the frontrunner.
By Daniel Bampoe
