The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has confirmed that it will contest the upcoming Akwatia by-election slated for September 2, 2025 whether or not the New Patriotic Party fields a candidate for Tamale Central when it is declared vacant following the demise of its MP, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed.
NDC Deputy National Communications Officer, Godwin Ako Gunn made the confirmation after the NPP announced it would not field a candidate in the Tamale Central by-election, in honour of the memory of Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, who was among eight people who died when the aircraft went down in Adansi Akrofoum in the Ashanti Region.
Meanwhile, NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia has thanked the NPP for the gesture and pleaded with NDC members in Tamale Central to not be in a hurry to contest the seat but to rather remain calm ensure an uninterrupted observance of the funeral rites of the eight fallen heroes.
“We thank our brothers in the NPP for declaring that they won’t contest us in Tamale Central. I beg our party members not to rush into contesting the Tamale Central constituency. Let’s stay calm and not disrupt the funeral rites of our fallen heroes,” Asiedu Nketia noted in an address at the final funeral rites of the late Dr. Murtala Mohammed at his family house in Tamale on Tuesday, August 12.
In a Facebook statement posted by NDC Deputy National Communications Officer, Godwin Ako Gunn, on August 12, 2025, the party welcomed the NPP’s decision.
However, the NDC suggested the move was less about respect for the late MP and more about avoiding defeat while gaining public sympathy ahead of the Akwatia contest.
“The decision by the NPP not to contest in the Tamale Central elections is the best decision they have taken in recent times. It is a ploy to run from defeat and to gain sympathies ahead of the Akwatia elections.
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.” the statement noted.
Mr. Gunn further pointed out that the Akwatia seat itself had been under legal dispute before the passing of its MP, Ernest Kumi.
The NDC urged Ghanaians not to take the NPP’s word at face value, citing examples from the past. “In the Ablekumah North rerun, the NPP declared they were not contesting, but in fact, they were the first to hit the ground,” Mr. Gunn said.
Meanwhile, the NPP’s decision on Tamale Central was outlined in a separate statement signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong. It said the choice not to contest was made during the party’s National Steering Committee meeting on August 11, 2025, in line with Article 10(10)(1) of the NPP Constitution.
The ruling party explained that it wanted to avoid the tension and acrimony often associated with by-elections, especially under the circumstances of Dr. Mohammed’s passing.
The NPP said the best way to honour Dr. Mohammed and the other crash victims was to intensify the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) and ensure a peaceful, uncontentious process for choosing his replacement.
“The NPP is of the belief that it would be inhumane and unconscionable to subject the nation to a competitive process in search of a replacement for the departed MP. The Party believes that the tension and acrimony often associated with the conduct of by-elections in the country should be avoided.
It is the considered view of the Party that the greatest tribute that the NPP and the rest of the nation can pay in honour of the departed, is not only to win the fight against Galamsey but also to ensure a smooth and peaceful replacement for the good people of Tamale Central,” the statement read.
