The National Democratic Congress NDC has thrown out a request by the national organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, popularly called "Nana B."

Nana Boakye appealed to the NDC to reciprocate the NPP's actions and pull out of the upcoming parliamentary by-election in Akwatia, scheduled for September 2.

It will be recalled that the NPP has formerly stated its position on a by-election that will take place in the Tamale Central constituency following the tragic death of Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed in a helicopter crash.


Given his party's withdrawal, Nana Boakye wanted the NDC to return the political reciprocity or the political "tit-for-tat" gesture in the spirit of building relationships and showing goodwill in the form of political bartering.

In his request, Nana Boakye said, "We are mourning with them. So, for me, you have a stalwart like honourable from the Eastern Region, I would say that right after the state burial, then we enter into such fierce contest, for me, it will not serve his memory right."

“I believe that right after laying such stalwarts to rest, plunging into a fierce contest would not serve their memory well. With the current mood of the nation, lowering the political temperature would be the right thing to do,” he added.

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However, his desire to formally have a pragmatic move to foster cooperation or reduce tensions between the NDC and the NPP, mainly during by-elections, has been outrightly shot down by the NDC national chairman.

In a sharp contrast, chairman Asiedu Nketiah said, “We thank you for withdrawing from contesting the Tamale Central by-election." Adding that "We wish to state that we shall contest the Akwatia by-election."

In the view of Asiedu Nketiah, both parties must find common ground to deal with the incidents of political violence that mainly characterise by-elections in the country.

"Let us collectively take the necessary measures to ensure that peace is maintained," he concluded.

It will be recalled that the NDC also withdrew from the Ejisu by-election, which was held on April 30 2024, following the passing of the Member of Parliament for the constituency, John Ampontuah Kumah.

The General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, explained that the party decided to pull out of the by-election and focus its attention on preparing for the main parliamentary elections in December of the same year.

NAAB/SEA

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