NDC in Turmoil as Asiedu Nketia, Mahama Clash Over Third Term AmbitionInvestigative Desk Report A major storm is brewing within the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) as internal tensions rise between party chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia and President John Dramani Mahama. The disagreement stems from Mahama’s controversial bid to seek a third term in office — a move vehemently opposed by Asiedu Nketia, who is believed to be nursing his own presidential ambition.Highly placed sources within the party say the two political giants are no longer on speaking terms. Their long-standing political alliance is now at risk of collapsing, raising fears of a major internal crisis that could divide the NDC ahead of the 2028 elections.> “There is an uneasy calm at the top,” a senior party official disclosed. “The chairman feels Mahama’s ambition to contest again is a threat to the future of the party and to his own presidential goals.”From Allies to AdversariesAsiedu Nketia, widely known as General Mosquito, served as General Secretary of the NDC for 17 years before defeating Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo to become party chairman in 2022. His election was seen as a shift of influence toward the party’s grassroots and a possible signal of leadership transition.Historically, Asiedu Nketia had been one of Mahama’s closest political allies, defending him fiercely during and after his presidency from 2012 to 2017. He remained loyal after Mahama’s defeats in the 2016 and 2020 elections, backing his comeback bid in 2024 — a race Mahama won, returning to the presidency in January 2025.However, insiders say Asiedu Nketia has grown increasingly uncomfortable with Mahama’s grip on the party and his intent to remain its presidential candidate despite calls for renewal.Fracture Risks Party UnityObservers say the clash may plunge the party into a leadership crisis just months into its return to power. While Mahama remains popular among sections of the NDC base, others believe the party must begin the process of grooming a new generation of leaders.Political analysts warn that a leadership split at the top could have ripple effects throughout the party’s regional and constituency structures, where loyalties are already divided.> “What we are seeing is a classic succession crisis,” said Prof. Rita Nyarko, a political analyst at the University of Ghana. “This isn’t just a policy disagreement. It is a struggle over the future direction of the NDC.”—Silent Battle, Loud ConsequencesNeither President Mahama nor Asiedu Nketia has publicly commented on the matter. However, insiders suggest that the Council of Elders of the NDC is discreetly attempting to mediate and prevent a full-blown confrontation that could undermine governance and electoral strategy.The 1992 Constitution bars presidents from serving more than two consecutive terms, a clause Mahama’s legal team has argued allows him to run again since he left office in 2017 and only returned in 2025. Nonetheless, the ethical and political implications of a third term remain contentious.As the NDC navigates this delicate moment, party members and supporters are watching anxiously. Whether the rift can be resolved amicably or will lead to an eventual showdown remains to be seen.
NDC in Turmoil as Asiedu Nketia, Mahama Clash over Third Term Ambition
