, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has thanked the New Patriotic Party){kind=link}
The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has thanked the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for opting out of the Tamale Central by-election.
Johnson Asiedu Nketia thanked the NPP for their decision to withdraw from the Tamale Central by-election and later used an Akan proverb suggesting one should leave a fight rather than wait to be beaten before leaving.
He boldly declared that although the NPP has withdrawn from the Tamale Central by-election, the NDC will still contest the Akwatia by-election.
The NPP paid a courtesy visit to the NDC following the tragic Helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.
Speaking during the engagement, Asideu Nketia stated, “I want to use this opportunity to thank you. I have heard that Tamale Central. You have issued a statement that when the time comes, you will not partake. We thank you”.
He added, “If someone beats you for you to go to private, it is better for you to go by yourself, that will be simple. So we thank you, but Akwatia, we are coming”.
The NPP’s decision not to contest the Tamale Central follows 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 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.
In addition, Henry Nana Boakye, the National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said his expectation is for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to withdraw from the upcoming parliamentary by-election for the Akwatia Constituency.
According to Nana Boakye, the NDC has lost five important party dignitaries and going into a fierce contest for them after their burial will not serve their memory.
He noted that the NDC, in respect of their five members who died in the helicopter crash, should not go into active politics just after their burial.
He asserted that the NDC, in respect of their five members who died in the helicopter crash, should not go into active politics just after their burial.
Speaking in an interview on JoyNews, Nana Boakye stated, “That is my expectation, but then we leave it to them. The reason why I say so is that Akwatia is in the Eastern Region, and the NDC has lost five important party dignitaries, and we are mourning with them.
So, for me, you have a stalwart like Hon. from the Eastern Region, I would say that right after the state burial, then we enter into such fierce contest, for me it will not serve his memory right”.
He added, “I would say that if I were in the NDC, I think that the tension in the country, we can lower it, we can bring it down”.
“Recently, we had Ablekuma, which was a negative story, and then we’ve had this devastating news of this helicopter crash, and after this, we have a by-election ahead of us… It is their decision to make. For us, we are of the view that we do not think that we need to contest in the Tamale Central by-election,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission (EC) has officially scheduled Tuesday, September 2, 2025, for the by-election in the Akwatia Constituency.
This follows the passing of Member of Parliament, Ernest Kumi.
Watch the video below:
Asiedu Nketiah is not not 😂😂😂😂😂
— KOJO DYNAMIC 𓃵 (@AnnanPerry) August 13, 2025
See proverb pic.twitter.com/NTSyPHs7zE