The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared that it will run in the September 2, 2025, by-election in Akwatia and accused the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) of adopting a political ploy to influence the vote.
This comes after the NPP decided not to run a candidate in the next Tamale Central Parliamentary by-election after Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, the local MP, died tragically in a helicopter crash on August 6.
The party applauded the NPP’s decision to not run in the Tamale Central by-election, calling it “the best decision they have taken in recent times,” but implied it was a calculated move to avoid defeat and win over the public ahead of the Akwatia polls, according to a statement signed by NDC Deputy National Communications Officer Godwin Ako Gunn.
“This is not the first time that a political party has refused to contest in a by-election. The NDC refused to contest in Ejisu after the demise of John Kumah. We also want to put on record that the Akwatia seat was in court and was not conclusive until the unfortunate demise of our brother Ernest Kumi,” the statement said.
Citing previous cases in which the ruling party declared its intention to not participate but subsequently put forward candidates, the NDC likewise advised against taking the NPP’s word for it.
“In the Ablekumah North rerun, the NPP declared that they were not contesting, but in fact, they were the first to hit the grounds,” Mr. Gunn recalled.
The statement expressed condolences to the family of the late Ernest Kumi, whose death prompted the by-election, as well as the families of the “gallant eight heroes” mourned by the nation.
Mr. Gunn also asked NDC members to use caution while making public pronouncements during this difficult time. “Let us be mindful of our comments in this time of mourning,” he told us.
The Akwatia by-election is expected to be one of the most carefully watched political events before the 2026 general election.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Joseph Asare
