Thirteen candidates have picked nomination forms to contest the National Democratic Congress (NDC) primary for the Tamale Central parliamentary seat, which became vacant after the tragic death of the incumbent MP, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, in a helicopter crash earlier this month.
The by-election follows the August 6 crash in the Ashanti Region that claimed the lives of eight people, including Dr. Muhammed and members of his security detail, during an official assignment. His sudden passing has prompted a flurry of political activity in the northern stronghold of the NDC.
Nomination opened on Friday, August 22, and will run through Sunday, August 24. Submission of completed forms is scheduled for Thursday, August 28, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., according to the party’s regional secretariat.
The crowded field includes a cross-section of political, academic, and civil service figures—ranging from seasoned party operatives to first-time aspirants. Among them are a former metropolitan mayor, two university lecturers, a diplomat, and two women.
Notable contenders include Abdul Hanan Gundadoo, former Mayor of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly; Lawyer Abdul Rauf Halid, National Vice Chairman of the NDC; Dr. Seidu Mohammed Fiter, a lecturer at the University for Development Studies; and Mariama Naama Salifu, also known as Princess Yelzoli of Zabzugu, a career diplomat.
Other candidates in the race:
Dr. Rahman A. Rashid
Dr. Aliu Abdul Hamid, civil engineer
Prof. Razak Abubakari, senior lecturer at Tamale Technical University
Alhaji Alhassan Nbalba, former chairman of the NDC’s UK/Ireland Chapter
Prof. Alidu Seidu, political science lecturer at the University of Ghana
Hajia Muliaka Suliasu
Sadat Harun Alhassan, lawyer
Alhassan Osman Gomda, entrepreneur
Hajia Shamima Yakubu, the NDC’s current regional treasurer
Regional party officials have emphasized the importance of maintaining party unity, urging all aspirants and their supporters to conduct a clean and issue-based campaign in the lead-up to the primaries.
The winner of the NDC primary will be favored to retain the seat in the upcoming by-election, as Tamale Central has long been considered a party stronghold.
