It was originally founded on 7 September 1975 when it first launched at Busumbala by former vice-president Sheriff Mustapha Dibba two weeks after his expulsion from the People's Progressive Party (PPP).
[1] Prior to the 1992 elections, the party faced a series of setbacks as many of its leaders rejoin the PPP.
Its candidate at the presidential elections of 18 October 2001, Sheriff Dibba, came fourth with 3.77% of the popular vote.
When the party was formed, the then president of the country Dawda Jawara predicted that it would not last more than three months.
[2] The NCP was part of the Coalition 2016 for the 2016 presidential election, where Adama Barrow was declared the opposition's candidate and subsequently won.