Constituency Watch: Yagaba-Kubori: Race too close to call

The Yagaba-Kubori Constituency in the North East Region has a dynamic history marked by notable shifts and significant events that have shaped its political landscape.

Since its inception in 2004, the constituency has witnessed keen competition between the two major political parties — the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Based on election history, it can best be described as a swing constituency as the NDC won the parliamentary seat in 2004, 2008 and 2016, while the NPP won it in 2012 and 2020.

In its first parliamentary election in 2004, the former NDC Member of Parliament (MP), Abdul-Rauf Ibrahim Tanko, won the seat, marking the beginning of the constituency's political journey.

He retained the seat in 2008. However, the incumbent NPP MP, Mustapha Ussif, snatched it in 2012 with 8,123 votes, representing 53.10 per cent, while his opponent, Alhaji Tanko, had 7,175 votes, representing 46.90 per cent.

In 2016, Mr Ussif lost to Alhaji Tanko after garnering 8,294 votes, representing 42.89 per cent, as against 10,990 votes polled by his opponent.

A school block constructed for the commencement of a new SHS at Yizesi 

Mr Ussif, who is the Minister of Youth and Sports, was re-elected in 2020. In a fiercely contested election, he polled 18,153 votes, representing 65.74 per cent, while Alhaji Tanko, the current NDC North East Regional Chairman, secured 9,393 votes, representing 34.02 per cent.

With Alhaji Tanko declining to seek re-election, the NDC will be represented in this year's election by Musah Sibiri Hamidu, a human rights activist and senior staff member at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) following his victory in the party’s primary, while Mr Ussif represents the NPP for the third time.

The strong comeback of the incumbent MP and the wide margin he secured in the 2020 election has solidified the NPP's influence and dominance in Yagaba/Kubori. On the other hand, the dip in the votes of the NDC in the last election appears to have negatively affected the party’s fortunes.

Brief profiles

The incumbent MP hails from Tantala, a farming community in the constituency, and is known for his calm demeanour, while Mr Hamidu is a development practitioner who hails from Yikpabongu, a community noted for its rich tourist attractions.

Yagaba-Kubori-Mankarigu Road being worked on 

Geographical location, population

Located at the western end of the North East Region, the constituency with Mamprugu/Moaduri as its district capital, shares boundaries with North Gonja District to the west, Kumbungu District to the south, Sissala East in the Upper West Region, Builsa South in the Upper East Region and the West Mamprusi Municipality.

It has a total population of 68,746, with 34,053 males and 34,693 females, according to the 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC).

The constituency has a mix of both formal and informal workers, made up of traders, teachers, civil and public servants, farmers, nurses and security officers, among others.

It is a predominant agrarian constituency with a vast arable land. It can best be described as the food basket of the region and the country at large as it is noted for the cultivation of a variety of food crops such as rice, maize, soybeans and cowpeas.

It is also a busy constituency with fever pitch markets that draw hundreds of people from far and near on a daily basis.

Development projects

For the past few years, the constituency has witnessed substantial infrastructural development, driven largely by the MP’s efforts to bring projects to the area. These include the construction of health facilities, schools and roads, which have significantly improved the living standards of the constituents.

Musah Sibiri Hamidu, NDC Parliamentary aspirant for Yagaba-Kubori, distributing textbooks to pupils 

Recent years have seen a focus on health care, with the establishment of new health facilities and the inauguration of the first Nursing and Midwifery College in the constituency.

These efforts aim to address the shortage of skilled healthcare professionals and improve access to medical services in the area.

Hitherto known as ‘overseas’ due to the deprived and deplorable nature of the road network, the constituency has seen substantial improvement in its road infrastructure.

A number of road projects have been completed in the constituency, with others at various stages of completion. During a visit by the Daily Graphic last week, it came to light that the Kpasenkpe-Yagaba, Yagaba-Kubori-Mankarigu, Yizesi-Yagaba stretches, as well as the Mishuo bridge were being worked on.

Once all the projects are completed, it would help open up the area and boost economic activities.

Campaigns

With barley five months to the polls, the two candidates have already hit the ground, criss-crossing each other with their campaigns across the constituency. The incumbent MP is banking on his personal and party’s achievements to win the hearts of the electorate.

Known for his focus on infrastructure development and economic empowerment, Mr Ussif’s campaign is largely centred on job creation, improved health care and educational opportunities.

During a campaign trail last week, the incumbent MP highlighted ongoing and completed infrastructure projects in the constituency and  pledged his commitment to continue to do more when given another mandate in the upcoming election.

The newly constructed NHIA office in the constituency 

For the past three years, he indicated that he had sponsored a number of tertiary students, provided educational and health infrastructure, as well as lobbied for the road network to be worked on.

He, therefore, appealed to the electorate to renew his mandate to enable him to continue with the good works to improve on the standard of living of the people.

However, the NDC candidate is offering a formidable challenge. With a strong background in community service and local governance, Mr Hamidu’s campaign is largely centred on social welfare, youth and women empowerment, and agricultural development.

His approach is grassroots-oriented, door-to-door campaign and community meetings. He aims to galvanise the youth and undecided voters with a message of change and a better future, as well as addressing grievances and presenting himself as a more relatable and accessible leader.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Hamidu pointed out that the constituency had been neglected for a very long time and promised to be a more responsive and accessible representative.

When given the mandate, he said, he would focus much on education and empower the people, particularly women and the youth. “I have been with the people for a very long time and I know and understand their problems.

For the past years I have been donating textbooks, mentoring schoolchildren and supporting communities to renovate school buildings and other facilities. “I intend to donate 1,000 mathematical sets to pupils for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the coming days,” he said.

He, therefore, appealed to the electorate to give him a chance to enable him to bring the needed development to the area.

Parties’ views

While acknowledging some infrastructural projects in the area, the Constituency Vice-Chairman of the NDC, Mustapha Yidana, said the government had performed abysmally in the constituency.

A nurses bungalow at Kpatorigu 

He said even in opposition, the NDC MP had been able to initiate more life-changing projects than what the government had done in the past six years. For his part, the Constituency Communications Officer of the NPP, Mahama Tia Mutaru, described the achievements of the MP and the government as unprecedented.

He said, “virtually, there is no community in the constituency that you will go and won’t see the legacy of the MP. He has done very well and deserves another opportunity to represent us in Parliament so he can consolidate the gains made so far.”

Constituents’ views

Some of the inhabitants who spoke with the Daily Graphic commended the MP for initiating some projects which were impacting the lives of the people in the constituency. A resident of Yizesi, Yakubu Salifu, said he was much concerned about his standard of living and would therefore vote for a candidate who would improve his living conditions.

Musah Sibiri Hamidu, NDC Parliamentary aspirant for Yagaba-Kubori

“This year’s election is about results so I am going to vote based on who has something positive to offer. All we need now is development, nothing else,” he said.

Another resident of Jadema, Fuseini Aliu, said: “I have been voting for a particular political party for the past years but this year I will change my voting pattern because I want a candidate who will improve our road network and support farmers in the area”.

Who wins?

The political atmosphere of Yagaba/Kubori remains dynamic as the electorate's preferences continue to evolve. The constituency's political history suggests a pattern of competitive elections and changing allegiances, which are likely to persist as the two major parties vie for dominance.

Mustapha Ussif, NPP MP for Yagaba-Kubori

The focus on development, particularly in health care and education, is expected to remain a key factor that will influence voter behaviour and the overall political climate in the region.

The race remains too close to call. Mr Ussif’s incumbency and developmental interventions present a strong case, but the NDC candidate’s appeal for change and focus on social welfare and women empowerment resonates deeply with many voters.

With both sides determined to win, the Yagaba/Kubori Constituency is set for an exciting election.

Writer’s email:mohammed.fugu@graphic.com.gh