The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced its participation in the upcoming Akwatia by-election slated for September 2, 2025, while casting doubt on the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) motives for opting out of the Tamale Central race.
In a statement signed by Deputy National Communications Officer, Godwin Ako Gunn, the NDC praised the NPP’s decision not to contest Tamale Central—triggered by the August 6 helicopter crash that claimed the life of MP Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed—as “the best decision they have taken in recent times.”
However, Mr. Gunn suggested it was a calculated move to avoid defeat and garner sympathy ahead of the Akwatia polls.
“The NDC is contesting the Akwatia by-election come the 2nd of September 2025. The decision by the NPP not to contest in the Tamale Central elections is the best decision they have taken in recent times. It is a ploy to run from defeat and to gain sympathies ahead of the Akwatia elections. We want to put on record that the Akwatia seat was in court and was not conclusive until the unfortunate demise of our brother Ernest Kumi.”
“This is not the first time that a political party has refused to contest in a by-election,” he noted, recalling the NDC’s own withdrawal from the Ejisu contest following the death of John Kumah.
He also warned against taking the NPP’s announcements at face value, citing the Ablekuma North rerun where the party initially declared non-participation but later campaigned actively.
The Akwatia seat became vacant following the July 7 death of NPP MP Ernest Yaw Kumi, whose tenure was mired in legal disputes over the December 2024 election results.
The case, which went through injunctions, contempt rulings, and eventual Supreme Court intervention, was unresolved at the time of his passing.
Ako Gunn extended condolences to Kumi’s family and to the relatives of the eight “gallant heroes” being mourned nationally, urging NDC supporters to remain respectful in their public remarks during this period of grief.
