Nayiri commends NPP for withdrawing from by-election

Nalerigu (NR), March 18, GNA - The Nayiri,

Na Sheriga Bohagu Mahama, paramount chief of the Mamprugu Traditional Area has praised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for withdrawing from the Tamale Central by-election in the interest of peace in the area. He said the decision of the NPP not to contest the seat was in the right direction since it would make the work of the eminent chiefs who are trying to seek peace in the area easy and appealed to their members to stay away and not do anything that would resurrect fresh trouble. The Nayiri gave the commendation in Nalerigu when Mr. Peter Mac Manu, National Chairman of the NPP paid a courtesy call on him on Friday.

Mr. Manu was in the Eest Mamprusi District to meet and thank party delegates who voted him as National Chairman to steer the affairs of the NPP towards victory in the 2008 elections. Na Bohagu, who is also a member of the three eminent chiefs working to find lasting peace in Dagbon said, "I commend you for your good sense of wisdom to withdraw from the Tamale Central by-election, which actually has the tendency of brewing new conflict among the people". The Nayiri said the burial of the late King of Dagbon was closer and that any mishap in Dagbon during the by-election may defeat the efforts of those working out to bury Ya Na Yakubu Andani II. He used the occasion to appeal to the government to tar the road from Gambaga to link Walewale to facilitate free flow of movement to Tamale and other places.

Politics Commendation Chief 2 Nalerigu (NR) Mr. Manu appealed to the chieftaincy institutions to correct government in areas that it errs so that there would be continues development, peace and tranquility in the country. Mr. Manu earlier explained in detail to the people why the NPP withdrew from the Tamale by-elections. He claimed that members of the NDC had "sharpen their knives" waiting to cause trouble during the by-elections and that because the NPP wanted peace it would not contest. He said three NPP members were killed in Tamale Central during the 2004 general elections and that nothing had been done about them hence the decision of the party not to contest to allow the NDC to have a field day.

Mr. Clifford Abdallah Braimah, Northern Regional Secretary of the NPP also said the NPP was using the occasion to pay tribute to all their members who lost their lives during the 2004 elections. He said the burial of the late Ya Na Yakubu Andani II, coincided with the by-election, which may spark fresh trouble and that the wise way was to stay away from the elections. Mr. Mac Manu earlier visited families of the NPP members who lost their lives during the 2004 elections and expressed the government's determination to assist children of the deceased persons.