By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is today deciding who will lead the party in the Tamale Central constituency following the sudden passing of its MP, Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. The primary, taking place at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium, has drawn 12 aspirants, including three women, the first time in the constituency’s history that women are contesting for the slot.
This was revealed on GBC’s Current Agenda programme, where the Corporation’s correspondent in Tamale reported that the stadium grounds were already buzzing by early morning as electoral officers assembled ballot boxes and voting materials. Voting is set across four polling stations to allow the 1,551 delegates to cast their ballots quickly and efficiently. Each polling station will handle about 400 delegates, with the process designed to end by mid-afternoon to allow counting and declaration before evening.
Security is tight, with 400 officers drawn from the Police Service, Immigration, and other security agencies deployed to ensure calm. Party agents, observers, and the media have also taken up positions to monitor the keenly contested poll.
The correspondent described the atmosphere as charged but orderly, with aspirants and their supporters arriving early in a show of confidence. Some delegates were seen moving late on Thursday night as aspirants made final house-to-house appeals. Contestants include seasoned lawyers, engineers, academics, and professionals who reflect the human resource strength of Tamale Central.
The NDC has held the seat since the constituency was created in 2004, making today’s primary more decisive than the parliamentary election itself. Observers believe whoever emerges winner will almost certainly carry the constituency into the general elections later this year.
By mid-morning, all sides expressed optimism, with aspirants pledging to respect the process and unite behind whoever is chosen. For many delegates, this contest is not just about selecting a parliamentary candidate, but also about shaping the legacy of the late Murtala Mohammed by finding a worthy successor to continue his development vision for the constituency.
Counting of ballots is expected to conclude by evening, paving the way for the announcement of the winner before nightfall.
