Tamale Central by-election must lead to continuity in governance
The Tamale Central Constituency in the Tamale Metropolis of the Northern Region is bustling with political activities, especially from the camp of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), characterised by a mad rush for nomination forms by aspirants to contest the NDC primaries subsequent to the by-election slated for September 30.
The primaries and subsequent by-election was occasioned by the tragic death of the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, in a helicopter crash along seven others on August 6. He was also the Minster of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.
The main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has withdrawn from the Tamale by-election, emphasising that the most fitting way to honour the deceased was to avoid the acrimony often associated with the conduct of by-elections, and specifically after the country had been united in grieving the victims of the helicopter crash, which included the incumbent.
The Ghanaian Times has learnt that not less than 14 candidates have filed their nominations before the close of nominations yesterday. We also learnt that following the high enthusiasm exhibited by the candidates, there was shortage of nomination forms and the Constituency Office in Tamale had to call Accra for replenishment.
Perhaps, never in the history of the constituency has elections-whether by-elections or General Elections- generated such a high level of enthusiasm.
The mad rush to replace the deceased is admirable, as in our considered view demonstrates the high political consciousness and the popularity of the political ideology of the ruling party among its followers, engendered by the party’s grassroots mobilisation and political education.
In spite of the fact that the opposition NPP has withdrawn its participation from the by-election, denying our political space of a level competition in the constituency, we still do not rule out an internal party wrangling and vote buying with the tendency to mar the beauty of a closed-party contest.
It’s the view of The Ghanaian Times that the various candidates, who have filed their nominations worth their salt—that they understand the political terrain– and that they will play by the rules of the game, especially internal party rules for selection of candidates at primaries, for subsequent election of a good replacement of the deceased on September 30.
In an anticipation of such internal party wrangling, we call for a free, fair and peaceful primaries to elect a suitable candidate to represent the constituency with enthusiasm and vigour, as demonstrated by the late MP.
The late MP was a person of high caliber, who had demonstrated love for his country and the party and had lived up to expectations as good public servant, who was in constant touch with the people in the constituency that gave him the mandate to lead them, but that was cut short by a divine twist.
Politics is about giving value to people and political office holders have different approaches in solving or addressing the needs of people that they serve.
The Ghanaian Times wishes the aspirants the best of luck, and that the constituency will rally behind whoever emerges as the candidate for a smooth by-election, so that the constituency will move on as united people with a common goal!
It is our expectation that whoever is elected the MP will continue with some of the projects initiated by the late MP as a befitting honour to his memory.
We doff our hats for Haruna Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South and Minister of Education, for that singular act of honour to his late colleague, by paying the fees of 47 continuing medical students that the late MP was shouldering.