The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Professor Alidu Seidu Mahama, is set to become the next Member of Parliament for Tamale Central following the withdrawal of all other parties from the upcoming by-election.

The by-election, scheduled for September 30, 2025, was necessitated by the death of the incumbent MP, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, in a helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, which also claimed seven other lives.

According to a Graphic Online report on September 10, 2025, the People’s National Convention (PNC) and the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) had initially filed to contest the seat.

However, both parties formally withdrew on Wednesday, September 10, through letters to the Electoral Commission. Their decision followed an earlier announcement by the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) that it would not field a candidate.

Profile of Prof Alidu Seidu, NDC Tamale Central parliamentary candidate

Professor Alidu’s candidature had already received a major boost after he secured victory in a fiercely contested NDC primary held over the weekend.

“Out of 1,500 valid votes cast, he polled 840, defeating 11 other aspirants. His closest rival, Hanan Gundadow Abdul-Rahaman, a former Chief Executive of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, garnered 536 votes,” the report stated.

The remaining aspirants managed single- and double-digit figures: Dr Seidu Fiter Mohammed (44), Aliu Abdul-Hamid (23), Dr Abdul-Rahaman Abdul-Rashid (9), Professor Abdul-Razak Abubakari (4), Mariama Naama Salifu (5), Hajia Shamima Yakubu (5), Hajia Mulaika Salisu (3), Alhassan Osman Gomda (7), Sadat Haruna Alhassan (9), and Alhaji Alhassan Mbalba (10).

With the withdrawal of the NPP, PNC, and LPG, Prof Alidu now stands as the sole candidate in the race. Given the NDC’s dominance in Tamale Central, the by-election is expected to be a formality, clearing the way for him to enter Parliament.

Prof Alidu Seidu secures majority votes at NDC primary in Tamale

MRA/MA

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