Prof Alidu Seidu has been officially declared the new Member of Parliament-elect for Tamale Central, strengthening the National Democratic Congress’ majority in Parliament.
He succeeds Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, who tragically lost his life along with seven others in a military helicopter crash on August 6.
The by election was uncontested after the New Patriotic Party withdrew from the race in what it described as a gesture of respect for the late MP.
Professor Seidu, an Associate Professor and Head of the Political Science Department at the University of Ghana Legon, secured the NDC’s nomination through a landslide primary victory, polling 840 votes. His academic background in political science provides relevant expertise for parliamentary duties, particularly in understanding legislative processes and governance structures.
The initial nomination period attracted three candidates, but withdrawals by the People’s National Convention (PNC) and Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) left Professor Seidu as the sole remaining contender. The EC’s decision to reopen nominations for an additional ten-day window demonstrated commitment to ensuring competitive electoral processes, though this effort ultimately failed to attract new candidates.
