Constituency executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Tamale Central have appealed to the party’s national leadership to uphold internal democracy in the selection of a successor to the late Member of Parliament, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Murtala.
At a press conference in Tamale on Monday, the executives emphasized that the best way to honor the memory of Dr. Murtala—who died in a tragic helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region—is to allow grassroots members to freely elect their next parliamentary candidate.
Led by Abdul Mumin Naeem and Nana Alhassan Musah, the constituency officers described the late MP as a courageous and principled leader who championed justice, accountability, and the voice of ordinary people.
“To impose a candidate at this delicate time would not only dishonor the legacy of Dr. Murtala but also weaken the unity he worked so hard to build in Tamale Central,” the executives stated.
They cautioned against repeating past mistakes, recalling the fallout from the controversial imposition of Prof. Wayo Seini years ago, which they said destabilized the party in the constituency.
Instead, they called for a transparent and inclusive process that allows delegates and branch executives—the legitimate representatives of the people—to decide who should carry the NDC’s torch into the next election.
“At this critical juncture, we must remain faithful to the values of democracy our late MP stood for. His memory must be preserved not through divisions, but through respect for due process and the will of the people,” they added.
Copies of their communiqué have been forwarded to the NDC’s National Chairman, General Secretary, Council of Elders, and the Northern Regional Chairman for consideration.
