NPP’s withdrawal from Tamale Central by-election is because they can’t win — Hamza

A member of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) communication team, Hamza Suhuyini, has claimed that the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision not to contest the Tamale Central by-election is a calculated move to avoid defeat.

The NPP on Monday announced it would not field a candidate in the by-election, citing the need to respect the period of mourning following the death of the area’s MP, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.

The party explained that contesting the election during this period would not be in good taste.

However, Suhuyini, speaking on Accra-based TV3’s New Day show on Tuesday, August 12, dismissed the party’s explanation, insisting the real reason was fear of losing.

“It is clear they know that Tamale Central is a seat they cannot win, so that is the reason why they are willing to let go of it,” he said.

He argued that if the NPP’s decision was truly out of respect for the late MP, the party would have also withdrawn from the upcoming Akwatia by-election, which has already been scheduled for September 2.

“In the same spirit of mourning and the circumstances of death, will they withdraw from Akwatia? These are questions we should be asking,” Mr Suhuyini said.

Meanwhile, per the provisions of Article 112(5) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana, the Clerk of Parliament, after the House has been formally informed, is obligated to notify the Electoral Commission within seven days and trigger a by-election within 30 days.

However, the House has not yet been informed formally by the family of the late Murtala Mohammed.