THE OPPOSITION New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced that it will not contest the upcoming Tamale Central by-election, citing moral reasons in honour of the late MP, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who died in last week’s tragic military helicopter crash alongside seven others.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, the party described it as inappropriate to field a candidate for a seat vacated by someone who lost his life in active national service.
However, a political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Asante Antwi, hinted that the NPP’s decision is less about moral obligation and more about strategic political calculation.
According to Dr. Antwi, the Tamale Central seat has long been a stronghold of the ruling NDC, making it impossible for the NPP to win. “They know they don’t stand a chance there, especially following such a tragic incident,” he explained.
He suggested the NPP’s move is aimed at placing moral pressure on the NDC to withdraw from the Akwatia by-election, where the NPP fears losing its previously held seat. “If the NDC insists on contesting, the NPP could portray them as insensitive and greedy,” Dr. Antwi stated.
He added that the NDC is keen on contesting Akwatia as a test of public support for the current administration’s policy interventions. These include the stabilization of the cedi, fuel price reduction, cancellation of the betting and emissions taxes, and a drop in transportation fares.
“The NDC sees Akwatia as an opportunity to showcase their momentum. They want to show that Ghanaians are responding positively to their agenda,” Dr. Antwi noted.
He also highlighted that in the last election, the late NPP MP for Akwatia, Hon. Ernest Kumi, only won by a slim margin, making the seat vulnerable in a by-election.
Dr. Antwi concluded that the NPP’s decision to forgo Tamale Central could be a calculated move to avoid embarrassment and shift the public narrative in their favour ahead of a more competitive battle in Akwatia.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
