NDC Primary: 12 Aspirants clash in Tamale Central - Vie for MP ticket tomorrow

Abukari Alhassan Baba Sep - 05 - 2025 , 12:00 5 minutes read

The battle for the Tamale Central National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary seat has reached fever pitch as the 12 aspirants seek a lifetime mandate in tomorrow’s suspense-filled primary.

With just 24 hours to go, the constituency has been thrown into heightened political activity, with each aspirant campaigning vigorously to sway the 1,551 delegates who will determine their fate.

Posters, campaign jingles and strategic alliances dominate the constituency’s landscape, turning the race into a test of popularity, political acumen and leadership in one of NDC’s strongholds.

Front-runners

Although 12 names are on the ballot, political observers have narrowed the contest down to three hot favourites.

Professor Seidu Mahama Alidu, a seasoned academic and political analyst from the University of Ghana, is riding on a policy-driven message that emphasises youth empowerment and rebranding Tamale Central at the national level.

Abdul-Rahaman Hanan Gundadow, a legal practitioner and former Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of Tamale, touts his grassroots connections and track record in local governance, promising to attract development projects to the constituency.

For Dr Seidu Mohammed Fiter, a lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS), his academic expertise and a rich community development experience set him apart for the role.

The other contenders are Mariama Naama Salifu, a diplomat; Dr Rahman Abdul Rashid; Dr Aliu Abdul Hamid, a civil engineer; Prof. Razak Abubakari, Senior Lecturer at Tamale Technical University; and Alhaji Alhassan Nbalba, former Chairman of the NDC-UK/Ireland Chapter.

The rest are Hajia Muliaka Sualisu; Sadat Harun Alhassan, a lawyer; Alhassan Osman Gomda, an entrepreneur; and Hajia Shamima Yakubu, NDC’s Northern Regional Treasurer.

Expectations

Some of the delegates and constituents who spoke to the Daily Graphic said they were hopeful that whoever emerged winner would champion the development of the constituency.

A constituent, Mohammed Alhassan, expressed confidence in Mr Gundadow, stressing that his experience as a former MCE made him a strong candidate.

“If I were a delegate, I would vote for him because we’ve seen his work, and I believe he will do even better this time,” he said.

For Abdul Fataw Nadrata, Prof. Mahama is the right choice.

She cited Prof. Mahama’s close association with the late MP and his role in mentoring him academically.

“Prof. Alidu has already supported some unemployed graduates to secure jobs, which shows he can do more for the constituency,” she added, estimating his chances of winning at 60 per cent.

Another constituent, Halim Mustapha, urged the delegates to prioritise candidates who were close to the youth and were capable of advancing the constituency’s development.

Analysts’ perspective

A political analyst, Ziblim Alhassan, believes the real contest is between Prof. Mahama and Mr Gundadow, describing them as the strongest contenders with both grassroots support and leadership backing.

“Prof. Alidu is well connected at the national level and has a technocratic understanding of governance processes.

“He has the pedigree to match the late Dr Murtala Mohammed in terms of party leadership support,” he said.

He said the delegates could be grouped into categories such as traditionalists, developmentalists, and those influenced by monetary or godfather dynamics.

He maintained that any aspirant who secured at least two of these blocs was likely to win.

He added that traditional authorities might also play a decisive role.

Mr Alhassan, however, cautioned that if the closest contender went independent after the primary, it could divide the party’s support in the constituency.

Preparations

The Northern Regional Deputy Secretary of the NDC, Saaka Ziblim, said adequate measures had been put in place to ensure a peaceful election.

He disclosed that about 250 security personnel would be deployed to ensure calm at the four polling stations to be located at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium.

He urged the aspirants to focus on issue-based campaigns, share their visions with the delegates, and refrain from insults.

By-election

The Electoral Commission has fixed Tuesday, September 30, 2025, for the by-election to replace (MP), Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who died in a military helicopter crash on

August 6, 2025.
Dr Mohammed, who was the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, was in Parliament on the ticket of the NDC.

Automatic slot

Whoever emerges winner of the internal poll automatically qualifies to be in Parliament following an earlier decision by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) not to contest in the Tamale Central by-election.

In addition, the Tamale Central parliamentary seat has been the stronghold of the ruling party since its creation prior to the 2004 general election.

Second by-election

The constituency, located in the heart of the Tamale Metropolis, will witness its second by-election on September 30, 2025, after the first in 2006 when the then sitting Prof. Al-hassan Wayo Seini, resigned from the NDC to join the NPP.

Prof. Seini contested in the maiden by-election as an Independent candidate, which was won by Alhaji Inusah Fuseini of the NDC, who held on to the seat from 2006 to 2016 before bowing out of Parliament.

In 2020, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed won the seat and retained it for the NDC in the 2024 general election until his demise in the heart-wrenching helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, thereby making the seat vacant.

Vetting of aspirants

The 12 aspirants were cleared by the party on Sunday, August 31, 2025, to contest in the primary to elect a replacement for the late Dr Murtala Mohammed.