{
  "id": 12217837,
  "title": "NPP won’t force candidates to step down – Miracles Aboagye",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/npp-wont-force-candidates-to-step-down-miracles-aboagye",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T19:28:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/npp-wont-force-candidates-to-step-down-miracles-aboagye/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has stated it will not compel any candidate to withdraw from its parliamentary primaries as it seeks to identify suitable candidates for the 2028 general elections. The party's Director of Communications, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, clarified during a discussion on Joy FM’s Top Story that negotiations and conversations with potential candidates are an integral part of the electoral process and do not imply any attempt to force anyone out of contention.\n\nAboagye emphasized that the NPP's approach involves assessing the circumstances unique to each constituency before deciding on the best strategy for selecting its parliamentary candidate. He stressed that no one is being asked to step down and that discussions, negotiations, and conversations are all integral elements of democracy and the electoral process.\n\nThe NPP's plan to scout for potential parliamentary candidates across constituencies ahead of the 2028 elections stems from the recognition that success in a parliamentary primary does not guarantee victory in the general election. Party leader Dr Mahamudu Bawumia explained that some candidates may possess the financial means to win a primary but lack the necessary qualities to win the subsequent general election. Therefore, the NPP is aiming to identify candidates with the potential to secure parliamentary seats, rather than relying solely on primary outcomes.\n\nAboagye clarified that while some constituencies may have several capable candidates who will have to compete through the ballot, others may require consensus-building among potential candidates. He highlighted that each constituency would have a unique approach based on its circumstances and dynamics. \"Election is not the only option in democracy. Negotiations are part of democracy. Sitting down and agreeing to certain things are all parts of democracy,\" he emphasized.",
  "summary": "The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it will not force any aspirant to withdraw from its parliamentary primaries as the party explores ways to identify candidates capable of winning seats in the 2028 general elections.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "NPP will negotiate with popular non-politicians to secure winnable candidates – Miracles Aboagye",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/npp-will-negotiate-with-popular-non-politicians-to-secure-winnable",
        "published": "2026-10-05T19:14:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}