Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Haruna Mohammed, has rejected claims that the party’s withdrawal from the Tamale Central by-election was a political strategy aimed at getting the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to pull out of the upcoming Akwatia by-election.
The NPP recently announced it would not contest the Tamale Central seat following the passing of the area’s NDC Member of Parliament, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
The decision came just weeks before the Electoral Commission (EC) is scheduled to hold a by-election in Akwatia on September 2, following the death of the NPP MP for the constituency, Ernest Yaw Kumi.
Speaking on the Channel One Newsroom on Tuesday, August 12, Haruna Mohammed justified the party’s decision to step aside in the by-election, stressing that it is a move rooted in national interest and respect for the late Member of Parliament and not an attempt to lure the NDC to withdraw from the Akwatia by-election.
“They have already chosen their candidate. How do they change their mind? We know very well that they have chosen a candidate. Once they have chosen a candidate, there is no way we can bait them.
“I have heard that they came to issue a statement. It is not different. You have already chosen a candidate and so why come back to tell the people that you are contesting? Who does not know that you are contesting?” he stated.
He further assured that the NPP has no intention of stepping aside in Akwatia and will actively contest the seat.
Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews
