The New Patriotic Party (NPP) stands at a crucial crossroads, much like the traveller in Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken.” The decisions we make today will significantly shape our collective future we all anticipate and hope for, and if care is not taken by all and sundry, that future will elude us all.

Following the party's significant electoral defeat in the 2024 general elections, we appear weakened. This current state of the party could be likened to a once celebrated and prized thoroughbred—known for its strength and agility—now sickened by self-inflicted injuries which have impeded its performance.

Using this horse analogy, we must all understand that we cannot hastily saddle a sick horse and expect it to gallop. Wise stewardship requires us to first treat its injuries after a careful diagnosis of the underlying issues, and to provide the necessary care for a full recovery. Only then can the horse get better, carry weight, endure the journey ahead, and reach new milestones.

The leadership's call for supporters to stop vilifying fellow party members must be taken seriously. Attacking one another and disparaging potential contenders only exacerbates the wounds of a horse struggling to stand. Internal conflicts deepen the division and risk permanently damaging the health of the party. National leadership must adopt a proactive approach—cautioning members who cross the line, enforcing discipline when necessary, and ensuring that all true members adhere to the party’s code of conduct, core values, and constitutional dictates.

Discipline at all levels should be non-negotiable, starting with our national leadership. Potential candidates must take responsibility and call their supporters to order. If we fail to manage our own ranks as leaders, we will undoubtedly struggle to control them and maintain the peace and unity necessary for meaningful progress and comeback.

The time for the opening of nominations will come, but that time is not now. Let us respect the party, its structures, and, most importantly, each other. Only through such respect can we support the recovery of this ailing horse we all eagerly want to ride.

We must also remember that our opponents deal with internal conflicts too, yet they appear to manage their differences with seeming maturity and discretion. In contrast, we shamefully unravel differences publicly before the very electorate whose trust we seek to regain.

Rebuilding requires a deliberate and methodical process anchored on several key areas, each serving as a remedy aimed at comprehensive restoration:

1. *Unity and Cohesion* 

   “Unity is strength; division is weakness.” 

  The party must pursue genuine reconciliation and inclusivity. A united front is essential for rebuilding public trust and regaining electoral viability.

2. *Introspection and Accountability* 

   Just as a sick horse cannot heal without first diagnosing its condition, the NPP must reflect on the causes of its defeat. Honest introspection, must be an objective assessment of past mistakes, and accountability—not for punishment, but as a pathway toward clarity, renewal, and restored confidence.

3. *Effective Leadership and Capacity Building* 

   Revitalising the party demands fresh thinking and innovative approaches. Developing leadership capacity at all levels—through mentorship, training, and inspiration—is critical to restoring competence and credibility.

4. *Strategic Communication and Branding* 

   Just as a recovering horse must be carefully rebranded before reintroduced to compete again, the NPP must manage its narrative strategically. Effective internal and external communication is vital for restoring public confidence and reshaping the party’s image.

5. *Grassroots Engagement* 

   “Roots determine fruits.” 

   Healing the party needs a focus on its foundations. Robust grassroots mobilization and meaningful engagement must remain central, as our grassroots supporters are the true custodians of our party.

The premature scramble for positions by ambitious members—defying collective directives and caution—resembles an attempt to saddle a horse still struggling to stand. Such actions jeopardize our recovery and threatens our survival. No member or faction is greater than the collective constitutional aspirations of the party.

As Confucius wisely stated, “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” The path to rebuilding is not a sprint; it demands patience, resilience, discipline, and collective responsibility.

It is therefore incumbent upon every member—regardless of rank or ambition—to embrace this season of healing and transformation. We must nurse our party back to health, equipping it with the strength needed not just to compete but to be attractive, be seen as worthy and ready for the task ahead.

Ultimately, a well-healed horse is a powerful symbol of strength, speed, and dependability—an apt metaphor for a rebuilt, revitalised, and resurgent New Patriotic Party, ready to fulfill its mission with distinction, unity, and in Development in Freedom.

God bless the New Patriotic Party. 

God bless us all.