The NPP was founded on 31 December 2019 by Adama Barrow amidst internal turmoil within Coalition 2016.

In 2019, Barrow dismissed UDP party leader Ousainou Darboe as his Vice President following disagreements.

Darboe refused to support Barrow's re-election campaign for the 2021 election, instead launching his own.

Proponents of the latter view have protested, noting in particular the Barrow pledged to serve no longer than three years.

It then formed a coalition with the National Reconciliation Party and, controversially, the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction.