The National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has dismissed rumours that the party intends to push President John Dramani Mahama for a third presidential term, stressing that the NDC remains fully committed to Ghana’s constitutional order.
Speaking in response to mounting speculation about the NDC’s succession plans, Asiedu Nketiah said the party has no history of operating outside the law and will continue to uphold the two-term presidential limit enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
“We have never run our party in ways that conflict with the national constitution, and we don’t intend to do that. We will stick by the tenets of the Constitution,” he stated firmly.
His remarks come as attention begins to shift to 2029, when President Mahama’s second and final term will end. Political observers and grassroots members have already started speculating about possible successors, with names of high-ranking NDC figures such as Asiedu Nketiah himself, former Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, and some regional powerbrokers being mentioned in public discussions.
When asked about his own political ambitions, Asiedu Nketiah urged caution, warning that early campaigning could destabilize the party and distract the Mahama administration from delivering on its mandate.
“The party has not declared anything,” he said. “I keep repeating my caution that we have to be very careful about the way we express our ambitions. Whoever succeeds President Mahama will ride on the achievements of the current government. If you conduct yourself in ways that disrupt this administration, you weaken the very foundation on which your future campaign will depend.”
He reminded party faithful that President Mahama has only been in office for about eight months since being sworn in in January 2025, and that jostling for succession at this early stage could fracture party unity and harm its electoral prospects.
Asiedu Nketiah also addressed recent rumours circulating on social media, noting that while it was natural for names to surface in political circles, the NDC leadership expected restraint from its senior members.
“If all of us decide today that because people are saying we can be president, we start mobilizing campaign teams, travelling across the country and appointing coordinators, how do you expect the sitting President to focus on his work?” he asked.
He stressed that for the NDC to retain power beyond 2029, it must first ensure that President Mahama delivers a successful second term, pointing out that the government’s performance would form the foundation of any future campaign.
His comments have been interpreted by analysts as both a clarification of the NDC’s position on term limits and a subtle reminder to ambitious figures within the party that discipline and timing will be crucial as the succession debate unfolds in the coming years.
