Politics

Breaking news: PNC, LPG candidates withdraw from Tamale Central by-election

Two candidates, representing the PNC and LPG, have officially withdrawn from the Tamale Central by-election.

Their withdrawal reshapes the contest ahead of the September 30, 2025 polls.

The withdrawal of the PNC and LPG candidates from the Tamale Central by-election has significantly reduced the competition and tilted the balance in favour of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Their exit from the race is expected to change the dynamics in the constituency, which goes to the polls later this month.

Announcing his decision, the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) candidate explained: “After broad consultations and deep reflection, I have decided to withdraw my candidature from the Tamale Central by-election. This is in the best interest of our party and the democratic process.” His announcement leaves the party without a representative in the upcoming by-election.

The People’s National Congress (PNC) candidate also confirmed that he was stepping down. “Tamale Central has long been an NDC seat. While we believe in the ideals of the PNC, we must also be realistic and focus our energies where victory is possible. For that reason, I am stepping down,” he said. His withdrawal means the PNC will also not be contesting in the by-election.

With the PNC and LPG candidates now out, the NDC’s Professor Alidu Mahama Seidu, who has already filed his nomination, stands as the frontrunner in the Tamale Central by-election. The field has narrowed considerably, giving the governing party an advantage.

Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has maintained that it will not participate in the Tamale Central by-election. The NPP explained that the decision was reached after carefully considering “the circumstances under which the Tamale Central seat has become vacant and the possibility of a further polarisation of the country at this critical time.”

The by-election became necessary following the death of sitting MP Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who died with seven others in a helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. His passing created the vacancy that has now set the stage for the September 30 by-election.