The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has officially declared Professor Alidu Mahama Seidu of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) the duly elected Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, following his emergence as the sole candidate in the by-election.
The declaration, made by the Tamale Central Returning Officer, Muniru Musah, was grounded in the provisions of Constitutional Instrument (CI) 127, which empowers the EC to pronounce a sole candidate as elected if all requirements of the law have been satisfied.
Mr. Musah explained that Professor Seidu’s candidacy met the stipulated qualifications under Ghana’s electoral laws, leaving the Commission with no alternative but to declare him the uncontested victor.
“In accordance with CI 127, having received only one valid nomination, I hereby declare Professor Alidu Mahama Seidu duly elected as the Member of Parliament for Tamale Central”.
Tamale Central Returning Officer, Muniru Musah
The by-election was occasioned by the tragic death of the sitting MP, Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who perished in a helicopter crash nearly two months ago.
His passing created a vacuum in the constituency and triggered the electoral process to find a replacement. Initially, three aspirants, including Professor Seidu, successfully filed their nominations to contest the seat. However, the political tide shifted when two of the aspirants withdrew shortly after filing, leaving the NDC candidate as the only contender.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ghana’s main opposition, opted not to participate in the by-election. Party leaders cited their decision as a gesture of respect to the legacy of the late Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, emphasizing that they did not wish to politicize the mourning period of the constituency.
No Contest After Reopen of Nominations
In response to the withdrawals, the EC reopened nominations for ten days, in line with CI 127, to provide an opportunity for new candidates to enter the race. Despite the extended window, no additional aspirants stepped forward, cementing Professor Seidu’s position as the sole candidate in the contest.
This unopposed outcome reflects the culmination of an intense political process that began within the NDC itself. On September 6, 2025, the party held primaries at the Alhaji Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale to select its parliamentary candidate for the constituency.
The race attracted twelve aspirants, including three women, each vying for the chance to carry forward the work of the late MP. Professor Seidu, a senior lecturer at the Department of Political Science at the University of Ghana, emerged as the clear favorite, securing 840 votes in a commanding victory.
His closest challenger, former Tamale Metropolitan Assembly Mayor Abdul Hanan Gundadoo, garnered 536 votes, while the remaining ten contenders shared the leftover ballots. His resounding win in the primaries solidified his standing as the party’s choice to contest the Tamale Central seat.
With the close of the extended nomination period and no challenger in sight, the Electoral Commission’s formal declaration was widely anticipated. Nonetheless, the decision marks a rare development in Ghanaian politics, where a parliamentary seat has been filled without a single ballot being cast by constituents.
MP-Elect’s Appreciation
Following the EC’s announcement, the Professor Alidu Seidu expressed gratitude to the people of Tamale Central for their support and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the constituency’s progress.
He pledged that the party would continue to pursue policies that promote inclusive development and address the pressing needs of the people. For Professor Seidu, his unopposed election carries both symbolic and practical weight.
As an academic and political scientist, he brings years of expertise to Parliament at a time when the NDC is consolidating its super majority following the 2024 general elections.
His elevation to Parliament without contest may give him a unique advantage, freeing him from the immediate pressures of electoral competition and allowing him to focus on policy contributions and constituency service.
The professor is expected to be sworn into office in the coming days, formally taking up his seat in Parliament. His entry is anticipated to strengthen the NDC’s voice in the legislative chamber while also providing fresh academic insight into the country’s political and governance debates.
For Tamale Central, the focus now shifts from electoral politics to the pressing issues of development and representation, with Professor Seidu tasked to carry forward the aspirations of his constituents in honor of his late predecessor.
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