Former Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim North, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi

Former Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim North, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, has criticised the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision to hold its presidential primaries before addressing the party’s internal challenges, describing the move as a recipe for confusion and chaos.

His remarks follow the National Executive Committee and National Council’s announcement on Tuesday, June 17, that the party’s presidential primaries will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

Some party members and political watchers have expressed concern that the NPP must first address its internal challenges before setting a date for the presidential race.

Echoing those concerns, Appiah-Kubi, speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Friday, July 4, criticised the decision.

“We need to disagree to come to some form of agreement at some point in time. I see that as a recipe for confusion and chaos,” he stated.

He explained that the party is currently disorganised, with differing opinions on how to regroup after its electoral loss, making the timing of the presidential primaries problematic.

Appiah-Kubi believes that the party must focus on rebuilding and addressing its internal divisions before electing a new leader to steer its affairs.

“Because you find yourself so disorganized even now with all kinds of opinions in the party. In respect of our performance and indeed how we have to regroup and reorganize. Then all of a sudden you are looking at a flagbearer to come. Is it the case that when we finish the flagbearer it will be his almost responsibility to do the organization and reorganization of the party?” he questioned.

The upcoming contest is expected to be fiercely competitive as the NPP looks to rebuild its political strength after its defeat in the 2024 general elections.

Several influential party figures have already declared their intentions to contest, including former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, former Essikado-Ketan MP, Joe Ghartey, former Minister of Education and Bosomtwe MP Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, among others.