BY Issah Olegor
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced that it will not participate in the upcoming Tamale Central Parliamentary by-election following the sudden death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Dr. Murtala Mohammed, in a tragic helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.
Murtala Mohammed, who also served as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, was among eight high-ranking government officials and security personnel who died while on official duty.
The helicopter, belonging to the Ghana Air Force, went down under yet-to-be-disclosed circumstances, sparking nationwide grief and an outpouring of tributes from political leaders, colleagues, and constituents.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 11, 2025, after a National Steering Committee meeting at the party’s headquarters in Accra, the NPP leadership said the decision was taken under Article 10(10)(1) of the party’s constitution.
The party emphasized that the choice was made after careful consideration of the emotional and political climate in the country.
According to the NPP, the circumstances under which the Tamale Central seat became vacant, coupled with the potential for heightened political tensions, informed their position.
The party argued that engaging in a competitive by-election would be “inhumane and unconscionable,” particularly given the grief still engulfing the constituency and the nation at large.
The NPP further expressed concerns over the “tension and acrimony” that often accompany by-elections in Ghana’s political landscape, warning that such an environment could deepen polarization in a delicate moment for the country.
“The greatest tribute we can pay to the late Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed is not only to intensify the fight against illegal mining but also to ensure a smooth and peaceful process in choosing his successor,” the statement read.
Citing Article 112(5) of Ghana’s Constitution, the party confirmed that it will not field a candidate when the Electoral Commission officially opens nominations for the contest. Instead, the NPP said it would stand aside “in the national interest,” signaling a rare act of political restraint in Ghana’s competitive multi-party system.
This decision marks a significant moment in the nation’s political history, as major parties rarely opt out of parliamentary contests, especially in strategic constituencies.
Tamale Central, a known political hotspot in the Northern Region, has historically witnessed intense electoral battles between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
With the NPP stepping back, attention now shifts to how the Electoral Commission will proceed and whether other political parties might follow suit, potentially leading to a consensus candidate in honour of the late MP.
