NPP Withdrawing from Tamale Central By-Election: If It were a swing seat, the decision would have been difficult for them – Dr. Samuel Afriyie
Following the tragic passing of Hon. Murtala Mohammed in a helicopter crash last Wednesday, the Tamale Central parliamentary seat has become officially vacant.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced it will not contest the upcoming by-election in the constituency, a move that has sparked discussion across the political landscape.
Dr. Samuel Afriyie, a political science lecturer at the Kumasi Technical University (KSTU), weighed in on the party’s decision, stating that the NPP’s withdrawal was strategically less costly because Tamale Central is not considered a swing seat.
The NPP’s decision has been officially described as a gesture of respect to the memory of the late Murtala Mohammed, a respected NDC MP known for his strong convictions and fiery parliamentary presence. However, analysts like Dr. Afriyie believe the move is also rooted in electoral calculations.
Dr. Afriyie noted that the NDC will likely retain the seat comfortably in the by-election, regardless of NPP participation.
While Tamale Central is not a seat that would shift the balance of power in Parliament, the NPP’s decision raises broader questions about the role of political competition in times of national mourning.
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