A political scientist has averred that Professor Seidu Mahama Alidu is certain to represent Tamale Central as Member of Parliament of the constituency after his triumph in the parliamentary primary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Senior Political Science lecturer and Head of Department of Political Science of the University for Development Studies, Dr Gbensuglo Alidu Bukari, said unless an Independent candidate could conjure something special, Prof Alidu’s place in Parliament was assured at the September 30, 2025 parliamentary by-election.

Prof. Alidu polled 840 votes out of 1,500 valid votes in the contest of 12 aspirants to win last Saturday’s internal contest.

His closest contender, Hanan Gundadow Abdul-Rahaman, a former Chief Executive of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, garnered 536 votes.

“The Tamale Central Constituency has been a stronghold for the NDC, with the party consistently winning in previous elections. In the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, the NDC's Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed secured the parliamentary seat,” Dr Bukari stated in his analysis of the parliamentary contest in the constituency.

Meanwhile, the main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has indicated that it would not contest the upcoming by-election, citing the untimely passing of the then MP, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, as a reason.

Dominance

“Given the NDC's historical dominance in the region and the absence of a major opposition party candidate, an independent candidate faces significant challenges,” Dr Bukari added.

“While independent candidates have occasionally made notable impacts in the Ghanaian electoral politics, the political landscape in Tamale Central heavily favours the NDC.”

“Therefore, unless an independent candidate can galvanise substantial grassroots support and present a compelling alternative to the NDC's candidate, the chances of winning the by-election slated for September 30, 2025 appear slim.

“This means that Prof. Alidu’s victory in the primary positions him as the automatic winner in the upcoming by-election,” he stated.

He said while the political dynamics in Tamale Central could evolve, the NDC's stronghold in the constituency and the absence of a formidable opposition candidate from the main opposition NPP side suggest that Prof. Alidu “is well-positioned to succeed the late Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed in the upcoming by-election”.  

The by-election has been occasioned by the death of the MP for the area, Dr Muhammed.

Professor Alidu, a senior Political Science Lecturer and immediate past Head of the Department of Political Science, University of Ghana, was recently appointed Executive Secretary of the Water Resources Commission.

He therefore brings a blend of academic expertise and administrative experience to the table as a legislator in the 9th Parliament of Ghana.