New Patriotic Party (NPP) North East Regional Secretary Sulley Sambian has pledged to strengthen the party’s structures and help reclaim lost ground in the region if elected Regional Chairman.

Mr Sambian, a private legal practitioner, is contesting the chairmanship position against the incumbent as delegates prepare for the party’s regional conference this weekend.

Speaking to journalists about his bid, he said his years of grassroots party service, combined with his professional background, had equipped him to lead the NPP in a region considered politically significant as the home region of the party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

“I am tried, tested, and ready to lead the NPP in the region as Chairman. I am offering my expertise following years of service to ensure that the region becomes a no-go area for our opponents,” he said.

“I have the strategy and the mental ability to deliver,” he added.

Mr Sambian said the party could not afford to leave its 2028 electoral fortunes to chance and needed stronger organisation, discipline and strategy to improve its performance.

Focus on party organisation

Rather than centre his campaign on personality, Mr Sambian said his priority would be to strengthen the party’s internal machinery and position it to win more parliamentary seats in the region.

According to him, the 2028 elections will require more than slogans and campaign rhetoric.

He said success would depend on “who can combine brawn and brainpower to reclaim and increase the parliamentary seats in the area.”

Mr Sambian’s bid comes against the backdrop of a closely contested regional chairmanship race in 2022.

At the Nalerigu Regional Conference on May 27, 2022, incumbent Chairman Nurudeen retained the position after securing 71 of 146 valid votes.

His closest challenger, former Yagaba-Kubore Constituency Chairman Akamara Bawah Henry, polled 50 votes.

With Mr Nurudeen expected to seek another term, this weekend’s contest is likely to test whether delegates favour continuity or a change in leadership.

Mr Sambian, who currently serves as Regional Secretary, is presenting his knowledge of the party’s internal operations as evidence of his readiness to take over the chairmanship.

He maintains that stronger grassroots organisation and strategic planning will be central to improving the NPP’s electoral fortunes in the North East Region ahead of the 2028 elections.