As the New Patriotic Party prepares to choose its next presidential candidate, the question of who can win beyond party lines has taken centre stage. For Samuel Abu Jinapor, the answer lies not in internal popularity, but in national appeal.
The Damongo Member of Parliament believes the NPP’s survival in the next general election depends on selecting a flagbearer who resonates with ordinary Ghanaians—particularly those who remain politically undecided. According to him, these voters, rather than party loyalists, often decide who ultimately wins power.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Mr Jinapor argued that while party enthusiasm is important, it is not sufficient to secure victory at the national level. He cautioned delegates against mistaking internal excitement for broader public acceptance.
In his view, the next NPP presidential candidate must project credibility to the wider electorate and inspire confidence among voters who neither identify strongly with the NPP nor the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“If the average Ghanaian—someone who is not deeply aligned to any political party—looks at our candidate and believes this person can govern the country, then our chances improve significantly,” he stated.
Mr Jinapor stressed that such perception is built on clear leadership qualities, including experience, competence, and a convincing vision for Ghana’s future. Without these, he warned, the party risks alienating the very voters it needs to reclaim power.
Even so, he acknowledged that winning over the non-aligned electorate would not be easy. However, he maintained that it is a challenge the NPP must deliberately take on if it hopes to remain competitive.
According to him, electing a candidate who appeals only to party faithful would limit the party’s reach, while choosing one who connects with the broader population could redefine its electoral fortunes.
