The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Nandom Constituency is witnessing heightened internal competition ahead of its upcoming constituency executive elections, with multiple aspirants declaring interest in key positions across different camps.
Three individuals associated with former Interior Minister and Member of Parliament, Ambrose Dery, have announced their intention to contest for the position of Constituency Chairman. They are Alhaji Hudu Mahmoud, the current Acting Chairman and former First Vice Chairman; Mr. Julius Baayel, General Manager of Nandom FM; and Mr. Samuel Lobber, Assembly Member for the Koghle Electoral Area.
In the race for Constituency Secretary, two contenders have also emerged from the same camp; Mr. Juvenal Muokuu, the current Constituency Communications Officer, and Mr. Edmund B. Aayel, the party’s Research Officer. The current Constituency Secretary, Mr. Martin Wuoyang is not seeking reelection.
While several other camps and individuals within the constituency are yet to formerly declare their intentions to contest various positions, political observers say the situation within the camp of the former MP is particularly striking. Unlike in previous years where candidates from the same bloc often rallied behind a single aspirant per position, the current developments show multiple contenders emerging from within the same political camp for identical roles.
Party insiders attribute this shift to a growing emphasis on internal democracy, with delegates expected to play a more decisive role in choosing leaders rather than relying on the former MP to appoint his preferred Constituency Executives as in past elections.
Since the creation of the Nandom Constituency from Lawra in 2012, this year’s internal elections are widely regarded as potentially the most competitive in the party’s local history.
However, opinions remain divided. While some party members interpret the development as a sign of weakening centralized influence in the former MP’s camp in the constituency, others argue it reflects a maturing political culture where individuals feel empowered to contest without restraint.
The current momentum also echoes events in 2022, when a group led by Sylvester Bekyieriya attempted to contest various positions but were disqualified during vetting under circumstances some party members described as controversial.
Observers believe that despite their disqualification, the group’s actions may have contributed to the current wave of participation by encouraging broader involvement in the party’s internal electoral processes.
As the constituency prepares for the polls, attention is focused on whether the emerging competition will strengthen internal democracy or expose deeper factional divisions within the party.
