The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been thrown into fresh internal uncertainty following a controversial directive by its National Exec
The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been thrown into fresh internal uncertainty following a controversial directive by its National Executive Committee (NEC) barring serving government appointees from contesting party executive positions unless they resign at least six months before filing nominations.
The decision, announced on January 29, 2026, has sparked debate across party ranks, with critics warning that the move could deepen divisions within the governing party at a crucial moment in its reorganisation toward the 2028 general elections.
The directive, communicated by the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, targets a wide range of politically appointed officials currently serving under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
These include ministers and deputy ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), as well as Chief Executive Officers, Managing Directors and their deputies across state institutions.
Under the new rule, any appointee who intends to contest for a party executive position at the constituency, regional or national level must step down from government at least six clear months before nominations are opened.
However, the NEC’s decision provides exemptions for board chairpersons and board members, who are not considered full-time executive appointees and therefore are not subject to the resignation restriction.
Party sources indicate that the directive introduces clear resignation deadlines for aspiring contestants within the 2026 internal election calendar.
The Appointees seeking constituency-level positions must resign by April 2026, those contesting at the regional level must do so by May 2026, while aspirants aiming for national executive positions are required to resign by June 2026.
According to Fifi Kwetey, the move is intended to protect the party’s internal democracy and prevent conflicts of interest, arguing that government appointees often wield undue influence and could distort the playing field.
In justifying the policy, the General Secretary controversially stated that the directive was aimed at “reducing greed” within the party and eliminating what he described as “mafia activities,” including intimidation and unfair political tactics during internal contests.
But those remarks, along with other recent statements attributed to the General Secretary, have become a major source of discontent and confusion within the NDC.
Hamza Suhuyini, a member of the party’s communications team, publicly cautioned Fifi Kwetey to be more measured in his utterances, warning that such rhetoric could damage the party’s cohesion and weaken its prospects ahead of the 2028 elections.
Suhuyini argued that while reforms and discipline are necessary, the language being used by the party’s top leadership risks alienating influential stakeholders, particularly government appointees who remain central to the party’s national mobilisation strategy.
He noted that the NDC cannot realistically prosecute a successful 2028 election campaign without the full involvement of those currently serving in government, many of whom also hold strong grassroots networks and play key roles in financing and organising party activities.
Suhuyini’s concerns were triggered by what he described as a pattern of controversial messaging from the General Secretary in last week.
Apart from the “greed” remarks tied to the resignation directive, Kwetey has also reportedly dismissed calls for former President Mahama to seek an additional term beyond constitutional limits, branding those advocating such a move as “sycophants.”
That statement, too, has unsettled some party supporters who view Mahama as the party’s central figure and fear that internal disagreements could erupt prematurely.
In addition, Fifi Kwetey has insisted that strict financial discipline and compliance with membership dues will form the foundation of the NDC’s 2026 reorganisation roadmap.
While many party members support accountability, others worry that enforcing such measures aggressively could trigger further internal tensions at a sensitive time.
The NEC’s directive comes as the NDC prepares for a major internal restructuring process, beginning with branch-level elections expected between January and May 2026, and culminating in the National Delegates Conference scheduled for December 19, 2026, where new national executives will be elected.
The timing of the announcement has therefore raised questions about whether the policy could shrink the pool of experienced party leaders eligible to contest, particularly as many capable organisers are currently serving in government roles.
Gbande Struggles To Defend NEC Decision
Adding to the uncertainty, Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande clarified that President Mahama himself was not present at the NEC meeting where the decision was taken.
However, Mustapha Gbande who was struggling to defend the decision on Asempa Fm insisted that the President was fully aware of the directive, dismissing claims that he had been sidelined or kept in the dark.
Some early reports also caused confusion over whether the restriction applied to parliamentary primary.
The Party officials have since clarified that the directive strictly concerns party executive positions at constituency, regional and national levels, not parliamentary contests.
Despite the leadership’s assurances, grassroots dissatisfaction is reportedly brewing, especially among party loyalists who expected more opportunities under the Mahama administration and are frustrated that some appointees from previous political arrangements have been retained or promoted, further complicating internal expectations.
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