Supposed viral audio of Bugri Naabu urging delegates to vote for their northern brother sparks tribal concerns in NPP

 

By: tntnewspapergh.com

 

 

A leaked audio recording circulating on social media has sparked discussions among members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The voice believed to be that of Daniel Bugri Naabu, Paramount Chief of the Namong Traditional Area, was heard urging delegates in the North to vote for their northern brother in the party’s upcoming presidential primaries.
In the recording, the individual, identified by party insiders as Bugri Naabu, is heard confirming that he had been cautioning some delegates against supporting a particular aspirant because, according to him, that aspirant was “not their northern brother.”
Although Bugri Naabu did not make the statement at a public event, the content of the leaked tape has already generated wide political debate, especially given his long-standing role in northern NPP politics and his influence among grassroots supporters.

 

 

 

Daniel Bugri Naabu

The circulation of the audio has reignited fears that tribal considerations may be creeping into the January 31, 2026 flagbearer contest.
Several party members have expressed discomfort with what they see as attempts to introduce regional solidarity as a deciding factor, arguing that such appeals threaten the unity and national character that the NPP prides itself on.
According to delegates and activists who have monitored the campaign trail closely, the comment reflects a broader pattern that has emerged over recent weeks.

Some aspirants are reported to advance strong tribal messaging while campaigning in the North, but adopt calls for unity and nationalism when speaking in the South. This double approach has left many delegates feeling uneasy, with some questioning the sincerity and consistency of the messages being delivered.
The debate comes at a time when concerns about proxy voting are also gaining traction. Delegates in various constituencies have raised suspicions that the proxy system could become a tool for consolidating support through trusted intermediaries, particularly in areas where tensions are already high.

With the new tribal sentiment circulating alongside worries about the fairness of proxy voting, many within the party believe that the national leadership must take urgent steps to maintain transparency and confidence ahead of the primaries.

Although Bugri Naabu has not issued a statement addressing the leaked recording, his perceived involvement has fuelled the belief among some observers that tribal appeals may influence the choices of delegates in the North. His status as a traditional leader and former regional party chairman gives his words added weight, and the recording has already been shared widely among stakeholders across the country.
As the primaries draw closer, senior party figures and concerned members are calling for a clear reaffirmation of the NPP’s principles. They argue that leadership should be chosen on competence, integrity, and national vision rather than on ethnic or regional identity. Party members say that if tribal messaging is allowed to gain ground, it could divide the base, undermine internal cohesion, and weaken the party’s image ahead of the 2028 general elections.

The NPP has long portrayed itself as a party that transcends tribal lines, and many delegates believe the current situation represents a critical test. They insist that the party must act swiftly to discourage any rhetoric that promotes sectional loyalty and to reassure members that the contest will be free, fair, and devoid of ethnic pressure.