We thank NPP for deciding not to contest in Tamale Central by-election – Asiedu Nketia

 

Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has welcomed the decision by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) not to contest in the Tamale Central by-election.

The NPP announced that it will not field a candidate in the upcoming Tamale Central parliamentary by-election, following the tragic death of the area’s Member of Parliament, Alhaji Hon. Dr. Murtala Mohammed, in the August 6 helicopter crash.

Speaking at the final funeral rites of the late Dr. Murtala Mohammed at his family house in Tamale on Tuesday, August 12, Asiedu Nketia urged party members not to be in a hurry to contest the seat.

He called for calm and the uninterrupted observance of the funeral rites of the fallen heroes.

“We thank our brothers in the NPP for declaring that they won’t contest us in Tamale Central. I beg our party members not to rush into contesting the Tamale Central constituency. Let’s stay calm and not disrupt the funeral rites of our fallen heroes,” he stated.

He added that the NDC will meet once the dust has settled to choose a replacement for the Tamale Central seat.

“The party will meet after the funeral and set timelines to get a replacement for the late Murtala Mohammed,” he said.

 

A government delegation comprising Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Armah Kofi Buah, Northern Regional Minister Ali Adolf, Deputy Lands Minister Yussif Sulemana, and Deputy Roads Minister Alhassan Suhuyini was present at the funeral rites of the late Murtala Mohammed.

The late Dr. Murtala Mohammed, together with the Deputy Director General of the National Security, Alhaji Lumina Muniru, was buried on Sunday, August 10, in Accra.

The Tamale Central MP died in a military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, along with seven others on board.