Political scientist Dr. Samuel Afriyie has described the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision to abstain from the Tamale Central by-election as both politically and morally sound.
He explained that the constituency is a stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), making it strategically unwise for the NPP to commit resources to a contest they are unlikely to win.
On the moral front, Dr. Afriyie cited the circumstances surrounding the death of the late Member of Parliament, Dr. Murtala Mohammed, as a key reason for the NPP to step aside.
He noted that respect and common decency required the party to refrain from actively contesting the seat so soon after the tragedy.
“I believe that the decision was a political and moral perspective,” Dr. Afriyie stated, adding that “it is not a stronghold for the party,” and as such, it would make sense not to invest in that by-election.
