‘Comatose’ NPP Fueling Asiedu, Haruna Presidential Bid Rumours With Fake Posters

The recent circulation of campaign posters and banners featuring National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia and Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu as potential presidential aspirants has been traced to elements within the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), according to party insiders.

The posters have surfaced in key cities including Accra, Tamale, and Wa — carry campaign-style images and slogans such as “Youth Brigade for Asiedu Nketia – Next President of Ghana” and “The Tortoise Will Ride The Elephant at Dawn – #aduna4areason#.”

Despite the presence of contact numbers, the materials lack any official endorsement and are widely considered to be fake.

The images have gone viral on social media, sparking speculation about a formal declaration of intent by the two NDC heavyweights.

Prominent NPP figures, including former National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) CEO Kofi Ofosu Nkansah and Richard Asante Yeboah, have been linked to their circulation.

According to sources within the NDC, the move is part of a calculated media strategy by a “comatose” NPP — struggling with internal disunity and dwindling public support to sow seeds of division within the ruling party and deflect attention from its own troubles.

“Rather than resolve its internal crisis and restore public trust, the NPP is manufacturing distractions to derail the NDC’s momentum,” a party stalwart told THE ARCHIVES.

Neither Asiedu Nketia nor Haruna Iddrisu has publicly addressed the rumours. However, party insiders say the silence reflects the political maturity and focus of the two leaders.

Party sources close to both figures insist there is no rift within the NDC hierarchy.

“Asiedu Nketia has been the strongest pillar behind Mahama’s re-election, and Haruna remains a committed team player. This is the work of desperate NPP bloggers and failed politicians looking to stay relevant,” a senior NDC communicator emphasized.

Tour Timing Sparks Speculation

The fake posters come amid ongoing debate surrounding Asiedu Nketia’s recent three-day “thank-you” tour of the Eastern Region, held from September 17^th –19^th.

The tour covered 16 constituencies and has been described by critics as a thinly veiled early campaign launch for the 2028 elections.

The initiative comes barely two months after President John Dramani Mahama concluded his nationwide thank-you tour on July 25, 2025, at Dambai in the Oti Region. Mahama’s tour, which began in May 2025, covered multiple regions including Bono East, North East, and Western North.

Some party members have questioned the necessity and timing of a second round of appreciation visits, calling it potentially redundant and politically sensitive.

Analysts suggest the tour has stirred concerns about succession politics barely eight months into the NDC’s return to power.

Some fear the move could distract from the Mahama administration’s urgent priorities — including economic stabilization and the implementation of key campaign promises.

“This is exactly what happened to the NPP in 2021,” a political analyst noted. “Factionalism and misplaced focus ultimately contributed to their electoral downfall.”

Shifting Dynamics Within the NDC

Asiedu Nketia’s evolving role — from party kingmaker to a potential presidential candidate — is seen as a significant shift in the NDC’s internal dynamics.

With decades of experience as a party strategist and organizational leader, he commands deep grassroots support and holds substantial institutional knowledge that could prove critical in any future campaign.

Meanwhile, Haruna Iddrisu, the Tamale South MP and former Minority Leader, continues to wield influence in the north and among the youth — making him a figure to watch in future leadership transitions.

Despite the swirling rumours, party insiders insist the NDC remains united and laser-focused on governance.

“These sideshow tactics by the opposition will not derail our agenda. We are rebuilding the economy and restoring trust in leadership. That is our focus,” a source said.

As political undercurrents begin to stir in anticipation of the 2028 elections, both the NDC and NPP face the challenge of maintaining cohesion, clarity of purpose, and public confidence — in an increasingly volatile political landscape.