Prof. Alidu Seidu wins NDC Tamale Central primaries by landslide
NDC Picks Successor to Late Hon. Murtala Muhammed in Heated Tamale Primary
Elohim Nyame 
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has elected Prof. Alidu Seidu as its parliamentary candidate for the Tamale Central constituency following a decisive primary held on Saturday. The election, which took place at the party’s regional office in Tamale, was necessitated by the untimely passing of Hon. Murtala Muhammed, who tragically died in a helicopter crash on 6 August.
Prof. Seidu, a respected academic and policy advisor, swept the polls with a commanding 840 votes, far outpacing his closest contender, Lawyer Hanan Gundadow Abdul-Rahaman, who secured 536 votes. The remaining ten candidates failed to make significant inroads, with none receiving more than 50 votes.
Other contenders included Dr. Seidu Fiter (44 votes), Aliu Abdul-Hamid (23), and Lawyer Sadat Haruna Fuseini and Dr. Abdul-Rashid Abdul-Rahaman, who each received 9 votes. Several candidates, including Mariama Naama Salifu, Prof. Abdul-Razak Abubakari and Shamima Yakubu garnered only 5 votes apiece. A total of 1 vote was rejected during the counting process.
Party officials lauded the peaceful and transparent nature of the internal elections. Regional executives also praised the high turnout and decorum shown by delegates, considering the emotional weight surrounding the late MP's sudden demise.
Prof. Seidu, in his victory speech, paid tribute to the late Hon. Muhammed and pledged to honour his legacy by advancing development in Tamale Central. “This victory is not just mine—it belongs to the people of Tamale Central and to the memory of a great son of the north,” he said.
With the NDC now having a candidate in place, attention shifts to the upcoming by-election, which promises to be a closely watched political event. The Electoral Commission is expected to announce the official date for the by-election within the coming days.
Hon. Murtala Muhammed was serving his second term as MP before the fatal crash. His death has left a significant gap in the constituency, both politically and personally, and the NDC is banking on Prof. Seidu to continue his legacy.
