Franklin Cudjoe Backs NPP’s Decision To Abstain From Tamale Central By-Election
- The president of IMANI Africa has backed the New Patriotic Party's decision not to contest the Tamale Central by-election
- Franklin Cudjoe also called on the National Democratic Congress to do something similar with the Akwatia constituency
- Both by-elections in the regions of Ghana have been necessitated by the deaths of their respective Members of Parliament
IMANI Africa President Franklin Cudjoe has backed the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) move to step aside from the Tamale Central by-election.
Cudjoe has also called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to also withdraw from the Akwatia by-election as a show of good faith.
Source: Facebook
The IMANI Africa President shared his view in a post on Facebook.
“The NPP has decided not to contest the late Hon. Murtala’s seat. Good call. The NDC should do the same. They should not contest Akwatia."
Both elections have been necessitated by the deaths of their respective MPs.
The Tamale Central MP, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, died in a helicopter crash on August 6, while the Akwatia MP, Ernest Kumi, died after an illness earlier this year.
Why NPP is abstaining from by-election
In a statement, the NPP said it was wary of the circumstances under which the Tamale Central seat had become vacant.
It also said it did not want to deepen political divisions at a time of national mourning.
“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 opposition party also believes the most fitting way to honour Mohammed is to intensify the fight against illegal mining and ensure a peaceful and uncontentious process to replace the late MP.
Murtala Mohammed, others die in helicopter crash
The August 6 helicopter crash killed eight people, including two ministers.
Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah was killed when the helicopter they were travelling in went down in the Adansi Akrofuom district.
The helicopter the officials were travelling in crashed into a dense forest as it was flying from Accra to Obuasi for the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme launch.
The other civilians who died in the crash were former Obuasi East parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, Deputy National Security Coordinator Limuna Muniru and National Democratic Congress Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, while the army personnel who died in the crash were Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala and Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu.
A state funeral will be held on Friday, August 15, at the Black Star Square in honour of the men who died in the crash.
About the Akwatia by-election
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission announced it would hold the Akwatia by-election on September 2, 2025.
Bernard Bediako Baidoo, a lawyer and constituency secretary of the NDC, would represent his party in the race after winning a primary.
Source: Facebook
He will go against Solomon Kwame Asumadu of the NPP.
The National Council of the NPP, in consultation with the party's executives in Akwatia, endorsed Asumadu as its parliamentary candidate without a primary process.
NDC supporters in Akwatia protest candidate
YEN.com.gh also previously reported that some NDC supporters vowed to vote against Bediako in the Tamale by-election slated for Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
In a trending video circulating on social media, the party backers registered their displeasure over the process and outcome of the parliamentary primary.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
