The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it will not contest the upcoming Tamale Central by-election following the death of the constituency’s MP, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, in the August 6 helicopter crash.
In a statement signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party said the decision taken at a National Steering Committee meeting on August 11 was influenced by “the circumstances under which the seat has become vacant” and the need to avoid political tensions during a period of national mourning.
“The NPP believes it would be inhumane and unconscionable to subject the nation to a competitive process in search of a replacement for the departed MP,” the statement said.
The party stressed that the best way to honour Dr. Mohammed and the other crash victims is to intensify the fight against illegal mining and ensure a peaceful, uncontested process for filling the seat.
Observers say the move is rare in Ghana’s fiercely competitive politics and could pave the way for a consensus candidate in the by-election.
