The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has confirmed that its incumbent National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, did not pick nomination forms to contest the party’s upcoming national executive elections.
The party’s Director of Elections and IT, Mahdi Gibril, said Asiedu Nketiah, popularly known as “General Mosquito”, had not picked forms by the close of nominations and had not indicated an intention to contest.
“These are those I know that did not pick. In any case, they did not indicate to us that they will pick,” Mr Gibril said.
Although Asiedu Nketia has not formally declared a presidential bid, his decision not to seek another term as national chairman comes amid speculation about whether he intends to contest the NDC’s presidential primary ahead of the 2028 general elections.
In August 2026, Asiedu Nketia was asked whether he had ruled out contesting the 2028 presidential election. He responded emphatically: “No, No, No!”
“I have never ruled any position out in my life. I’m not ruling any position out,” he said at the time, listing the presidency among the positions he could consider.
He also argued that ambition was essential in politics.
“Ambition is a very useful thing in politics. If you are a politician and you have no ambition, you are in the wrong profession,” he said.
His comments have continued to fuel speculation about his political plans, although he has not formally announced a presidential campaign.
The NDC closed the picking of nomination forms for its 2026 National Executive Elections at 5 pm5pm on Wednesday, October 21.
According to a statement signed by the Spokesperson for the Congress Elections Committee, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, a total of 137 prospective aspirants picked forms to contest 14 national executive positions.
The figures include five aspirants for National Chairman, 19 for National Vice Chairman, two for General Secretary and 11 for Deputy General Secretary.
With nominations closed, the process will move to the filing of completed forms, scheduled for November 7 to 9, ahead of the National Delegates Congress on December 19, 2026.
Among the prominent figures linked to the National Chairman race is former chairman Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, whose supporters purchased nomination forms on his behalf.
Former Local Government Minister Akwasi Opong-Fosu, who declared his intention to contest in August 2026, and Ambassador Alhaji Said Sinare have also been associated with the race.
Asiedu Nketiah has served as NDC National Chairman since December 2022, when he defeated Ofosu-Ampofo at the party’s 10th National Delegates Congress.
His decision not to seek re-election leaves the chairmanship open as the party prepares to elect new national executives.
The NDC’s national executive elections will determine the party’s leadership as it prepares for the 2028 general elections.
The next stages include the filing of completed nomination forms and campaigning ahead of the December 19 congress.
While Asiedu Nketiah’s decision not to contest the chairmanship has renewed attention on his political future, the party has not disclosed his reasons for opting out, and he has yet to formally declare a bid for the presidency.