Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has called on aspirants in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer race to conduct their campaigns with restraint and mutual respect, warning that internal divisions could weaken the party’s cohesion and electoral prospects.
Speaking at the commissioning of a new NPP constituency office in Bantama, Kumasi on Friday, September 19, Kufuor stressed the importance of unity as the party enters a competitive phase ahead of the next general elections.
“Siblings fight for power. So when you are in a party such as ours and claim to be a democrat, you will naturally compete. But it becomes an abomination when one seeks power and then completely pushes the other aside. When that happens, you lose the numbers,” he cautioned.
The former president expressed concern over the increasing use of insults and personal attacks among some aspirants and their supporters, warning that such conduct undermines the party’s long-term vision and could alienate voters.
“Let us not insult or disparage one another,” Kufuor urged. “Some of the things being said—whether by the candidates themselves or their supporters—are deeply painful and divisive.”
He noted that while some candidates may not be directly involved in inflammatory rhetoric, they must take responsibility for those acting on their behalf.
“Sometimes the candidates themselves may be unaware—but it’s often those around them who stir up the conflict,” he added.
Kufuor reiterated that healthy competition is vital in any democratic system, but stressed that it must be grounded in respect, tolerance, and a shared commitment to the NPP’s core principles.
His comments come at a critical moment, as the NPP prepares to elect a new flagbearer to lead the party into the 2028 general elections.
