The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has ‘smartly’ chickened out of the impending Tamale Central by-election as a show of solidarity to the memory of the Member of Parliament (MP).
The incumbent parliamentarian, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, met his untimely death on Wednesday, August 6 alongside seven 7 others, while in a Ghana Armed Force helicopter on national assignment to Obuasi, in the Ashanti Region.
This is coming at a time the Electoral Commission (EC) is yet to formally announce plans and date for the by-election. It comes in the wake of another by-election in Akwatia in the Eastern Region.
The decision was arrived at following a National Steering Committee (NSC) meeting held at its Asylum Down headquarters in Accra on Monday August 11.
A statement signed by the general secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua said the decision was arrived at after taking into consideration many factors including circumstances under which the MP tragically lost his life and further polarization of the country.
“The NPP is of the belief that it would be inhumane and unconscionable to subject the nation to a competitive process in search of a replacement for the departed MP.
The tension and acrimony often associated with the conduct of by-elections in the country should be avoided.” the statement read.
The party noted that the most appropriate way to respect and honour Dr. Murtala Mohammed and the other crash victims was not only to intensify the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) but also to ensure a peaceful and uncontentious process to replace the late MP.
“When the Electoral Commission of Ghana opens nominations for the Tamale Central by-election, the NPP will, in accord with the national interest, not take part in the contest,” the statement it said.
“The NPP is of the belief that it would be inhumane and unconscionable to subject the nation to competitive processes in search of a replacement for the departed MP. The Party believes that the tension and acrimony often associated with the conduct of by-election in the country should be avoided”, it added.
Meanwhile, some have described the gesture as a smart and welcoming one considering the circumstances under which the now former MP died.
They say this sounds even better considering the fact that, the two parties are set to contest the Akwatia by-election following the demise of another incumbent, Ernest Yaw Kumi.
They contend that, this decision is going to inure to the benefit of the NPP in the Akwatia by-election. Indeed, national organizer of the party Henry Nana Boakye has said he is expecting their political opponents to extend and hand of friendship and quit contesting the Akwatia by-election.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsnight programme on Monday, Nana B as he is known for said the NDC is known for offering such a gesture citing the case of Abuakwa North constituency in 2016 after its MP, Joseph Boakye Danquah was gruesomely murdered in his Shiashi home in Accra.
But others have said that even though the decision is in order, it was not out of any special reason and that, the NPP knows if they contest, they will definitely lose.
The Tamale Central constituency seat has been occupied by the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Additionally, the party has held on to the remaining Tamale seats namely Tamale South and Tamale North constituencies.
By Gifty Boateng