By Christian Aboagye
The people of Tamale Central are faced with a critical political question following the untimely death of their Member of Parliament, Hon. Murtala Mohammed Ibrahim, in the tragic helicopter crash. As the nation mourns and the final funeral rites come to a close, attention is now shifting to who will step forward to represent the constituency in the 9th Parliament.
Out of the nearly ten names circulating within the constituency, three aspirants are drawing considerable attention:
- Mr. Hannah Gundadow – Former Tamale Mayor and current Managing Director of the Ghana Irrigation Authority.
- Professor Alidu Seidu – Executive Director of the Water Resources Commission.
- Mr. Alhassan Mbalba – A UK-based social worker and former Chairman of the NDC-UK/Ireland Chapter.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), the dominant political force in the constituency, has not yet clarified whether it will organize primaries or directly nominate a candidate for the by-election, which is expected to be announced by the Electoral Commission in due course.
For many constituents, this decision carries weighty implications. A significant number have already voiced opposition to the idea of imposing a candidate. Their skepticism is not without precedent. In 2008, when Professor Wayo Seini was imposed on the constituency, the fallout was swift and damaging; his eventual defection to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) deepened political divisions and created lasting mistrust.
Today, residents fear a similar scenario. With already existing factional tensions in Tamale Central, an imposed candidate could exacerbate divisions, weakening the constituency’s political cohesion. The consensus among many is clear: the NDC must allow an open contest where all interested candidates can vie fairly for the ticket.
The stakes are undeniably high. Whoever emerges will not only inherit Murtala’s unfinished parliamentary mandate but will also be tasked with navigating the delicate political landscape of a constituency that demands both unity and strong representation.
This publication will continue to monitor developments in Tamale Central closely, providing timely updates and informed analysis as events unfold.
