In Upper West Region, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is riding a euphoric wave from its stunning 2024 triumph—capturing all 11 parliamentary seats. But beneath the celebrations, a fierce power struggle is brewing, threatening to fracture the party’s unity as ambitious loyalists gear up for a brutal regional showdown in November.
Excitement crackles among party faithful, with dozens poised to battle for positions from polling stations to the regional helm. Yet, the real fireworks promise to erupt at the top: Two heavyweight challengers are locked and loaded to unseat incumbent Regional Chairman Abdul Nasir Saani, affectionately dubbed “Bunas” in a no-holds-barred fight for control.
Leading the charge for the replacement of Chairman Bunas is Alhaji Alhassan Adams Randy, a savvy businessman-politician who came agonizingly close in 2022. His supporters’ whisper of a “second coming” armed with fresh innovations and a vision to supercharge the NDC’s momentum. “This time, he’ll solidify his base and deliver the knockout,” a close ally confided to Yiri News.
Enter the wildcard: Sombawiera Samba, known in political circles as “Chairman Sankara,” the powerhouse Constituency Chairman of Nadowli/Kaleo. Ditching his local throne, Sankara eyes the regional crown, touting his track record as former Deputy Regional Treasurer and his constituency’s landslide wins—over 80% for both parliamentary and presidential candidates. “He’s proven he can deliver victories; now it’s time for the big league,” his camp boasts.
But Bunas isn’t going down without a fight. His die-hard backers demand a third term, crediting him with the razor-sharp “Agenda 11/11” that swept all seats and secured unprecedented government appointments for Upper West NDC loyalists. “He steered us through the wilderness of opposition—dumping him now, just as we seize power, would be betrayal,” one supporter fumed.
Flashback to November 2022 at Wa Technical Institute: In a sweat-soaked hall, Bunas edged out Randy 227 votes to 157. That scar fuels today’s grudge match.
With Ramadan’s end looming, expect the temperature to skyrocket. Interest groups are already maneuvering from branch levels upward, forging alliances, trading favors, and plotting ambushes. One misstep could splinter the NDC’s hard-won dominance—or crown a new kingpin.
Yiri News will track every twist in this unfolding political thriller.
That will be a showdown