The NDC Council of Elders’ recent intervention is partly aimed at protecting the authority of President John Dramani Mahamaand ensuring focus on governance ahead of the next election cycle, according to political scientist Dr Jalilu Ateku.

Ateku said the move underscores the dual challenge facing the governing party: delivering on its mandate while managing internal ambitions for succession.

“The president has two key responsibilities — to deliver on his legacy and to keep the party viable for 2028,” he said on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Monday (1 June).

He warned that internal competition, if left unchecked, could divert attention from governance and weaken the party’s electoral prospects.

“When these differences persist, they divide attention, especially when some actors in government may also have leadership ambitions,” he explained.

Ateku added that perceptions of improved economic performance and the possibility of electoral success in 2028 may be fuelling early positioning within the party.

“If people believe the party is likely to win again, it naturally increases ambition,” he said.

He cautioned that unresolved succession battles have historically destabilised governing parties in Ghana, sometimes leading to fragmentation and electoral setbacks.

However, Ateku said he does not yet see a major split within the NDC, noting that party leaders appear aware of the risks.

“They understand that the success of the government is tied to the success of the party,” he said.

He added that the Council’s intervention could help stabilise the situation, particularly if it is backed by behind-the-scenes consensus among key actors.

“But its effectiveness will depend on what was agreed internally, not just the public statement,” he noted.