Dr Adomako Kissi, a former Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom, has said the hustle related to the Tamale Central by-election is not worth it.
The former MP backed the New Patriotic Party’s decision to withdraw from the Tamale Central by-election.
He noted that the battles are chosen and the NPP has chosen theirs by not contesting.
According to Dr Adomako Kissi, Tamale Central is historically dominated by the NDC and would not be wise for the NPP to waste funds.
Adomako Kissi emphasised that the move by the NPP is calculated and pragmatic and not necessarily about death.
Speaking on Channel One TV on Tuesday, August 12, Dr. Kissi explained, “This is not necessarily about the death. The numbers for specifically Tamale Central are not favourable, and I think that as a serious country, all the hustle related to a by-election won’t be worth it. Some places are very strongholds for a particular party, no doubt.
“From time in history, it has been NDC. The reality is that this seat has consistently been held by the NDC, and it will undoubtedly remain so. For lack of a better word, you choose your battles, so the NPP has chosen theirs. This is not a favour but a pragmatic decision made, and out of all of this, it is the future that matters,” he said.
Dr. Kissi also called for an enactment that would allow political parties to retain parliamentary seats for a full four-year term when vacancies arise.
He added, “I support the idea where the seat is left for the party for the four years, so that these hotly contested things based on the current behaviour of Ghanaians will be stopped.
“Because of our Ghanaian nature, and looking at the security issues and the deaths that occur during by-elections, including the near-death of a former Minister of State at Ablekuma North, I think it is worth considering,” he said.
His comments follow the NPP’s decision not to contest following a National Steering Committee meeting held on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The NPP asserts that they believe it would be inhumane and unconscionable to subject the nation to a competitive process in search of a replacement for the late Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
In a statement signed by Justin Kodua, the NPP General Secretary, on August 11, 2025, read, “The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has resolved that it would not take part in the Tamale Central Parliamentary by-election to elect a replacement for the late Alhaji Hon. Dr Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament (MP) for the Constituency, who was among the ecight (8) who lost their lives in service of the Republic in the helicopter crash that occurred on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
The decision was taken by the Party at a National Steering Committee meeting held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Party Headquarters pursuant to Article 10(10)(1) of the Party Constitution”.
The statement added, “In arriving at the decision, the Party considered many factors, including the circumstances under which the Tamale Central seat has become vacant and the possibility of a further polarisation of the country at this critical time.
The NPP is of the belief that it would be inhumane and unconscionable to subject the nation to a competitive process in search of a replacement for the departed MP. The Party believes that the tension and acrimony often associated with the conduct of by-elections in the country should be avoided”.
The NPP statement continued, “It is the considered view of the Party that the greatest tribute that the NPP and the rest of the nation can pay in honour of the departed is not only to win the fight against Galamsey but also to ensure a smooth and peaceful replacement for the good people of Tamale Central.
Consequently, the NPP hereby announces that when the Electoral Commission of Ghana opens nominations for the Tamale Central by-election in line with Article 12 (5) of Ghana’s Constitution, the Party will, in accord with the national interest, not take part in the contest”.
Meanwhile, Mussa Dankwa, the Executive Director of Global Info Analytics, has said it’s against democratic principles for the NPP to withdraw from a by-election because someone died.
According to Mussa Dankwa, the NPP cannot pick and choose, and there must be a contest.
He is quoted by JOY NEWS to have stated, “It’s against democratic principles for the NPP to withdraw from a by-election because of death. We can’t pick and choose. There must be a contest”.