Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has cautioned its supporters against interpreting the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) withdrawal from the Tamale Central by-election as a gesture of goodwill.
According to him, the NPP’s move amounted to political gamesmanship and a tactic to win public sympathy ahead of the upcoming Akwatia by-election.
The NPP recently announced it would not field a candidate in Tamale Central following the passing of Member of Parliament Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed.
Mr. Ako Gunn acknowledges that political parties have previously opted out of by-elections, citing their own decision not to contest in Ejisu after the death of John Kumah.
Explaining the reason the NPP should not be trusted, he points to the Ablekuma North rerun, where the NPP initially claimed it would not contest, only to be the first to mobilize on the ground. This, he argues, is evidence of a pattern of strategic misdirection.
“Let’s also be careful of the NPP when they say they are not contesting. In Ablekumah North rerun, the NPP declared that they were not contesting, but in fact, they were the first to hit the grounds,” he said in a stament released on Tuesdya, August 12, 2025.
Ako Gunn argues that “The decision by the NPP not to contest in the Tamale Central elections is the best decision they have taken in recent times. It is a ploy to run from defeat and to gain sympathies ahead of the Akwatia elections.”
Meanwhile, he confirmed the NDC’s participation in the Akwatia by-election scheduled for September 2, 2025, and called on its members to remain respectful and measured in their public commentary during this period of grief.
