Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, Mussa Dankwah, has cautioned that any public endorsement by former President John Dramani Mahama in the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) 2028 flagbearer race could yield unpredictable consequences — either strengthening party unity or deepening internal divisions.
Speaking on Citi FM’s The Big Issue on Saturday, October 4, Dankwah referenced findings from his firm’s latest poll, which places Haruna Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, as the leading contender among potential successors to Mahama.
According to Dankwah, while Mahama’s influence within the NDC remains formidable, any attempt to sway the succession process could prove risky.
“It could have consequences both positive and negative, and I think we shouldn’t assume that we can easily influence people’s choices. It could have an impact that may go either way,” he explained.
Dankwah noted that while some within the party might welcome Mahama’s blessing of a particular candidate, others could interpret it as favoritism — potentially fracturing the NDC’s internal cohesion.
“There are those who will be happy that he has given an endorsement to somebody, and there are those who will feel that the party will be torn apart if he does that,” he added.
Citing lessons from Kenya’s recent political landscape, Dankwah referenced how former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta’s endorsement of opposition leader Raila Odinga backfired after his own deputy, William Ruto, secured the presidency instead.
“Remember in Kenya, Kenyatta went against Ruto. He endorsed a candidate, but the party didn’t go with him. Let that be a lesson,” Dankwah warned.
Poll Results: Haruna Leads the Pack
The latest Global InfoAnalytics poll places Haruna Iddrisu ahead with 30% support among potential NDC flagbearers, followed by Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the party’s National Chairman, at 24%, and Finance Minister Ato Forson at 18%.
Other figures, including Julius Debrah, former Chief of Staff, and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu, garnered lower support levels.
Haruna Iddrisu’s popularity was shown to rise sharply in swing regions, reaching as high as 48%, indicating a strong regional appeal. However, in scenarios where he is excluded from the race, the contest becomes almost evenly split between Asiedu Nketia and Ato Forson, suggesting a potentially contentious primary if not carefully managed.
Dankwah concluded that how Mahama navigates his influence in the coming years will be critical to maintaining NDC’s unity ahead of the 2028 general elections.
“The endorsement of one candidate could either consolidate support or trigger factionalism — and that’s a delicate balance for the former president to manage,” he said.
Source – My News Ghana
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