The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially declared Professor Alidu Seidu of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the new Member of Parliament for Tamale Central after emerging as the sole candidate in the constituency’s by-election.
The declaration follows the close of an extended nomination period on September 21, which ended without any additional contenders—either from political parties or as independents. According to the Northern Regional Director of the EC, Lucas Yiryil, the development made it unnecessary to conduct a poll, paving the way for Prof. Seidu’s confirmation.
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The by-election was triggered by the death of the sitting MP, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, on August 6, 2025. Although three aspirants initially filed to contest, two later withdrew, leaving the NDC candidate unopposed.
In an attempt to broaden the race, the EC reopened nominations for ten days. However, no new candidates came forward.
At a brief ceremony in Tamale, the Commission formally declared Prof. Seidu as the duly elected MP—a rare occurrence in Ghana’s electoral history.
Prof. Seidu, together with Bernard Bediako Baidoo, the new MP for Akwatia, is expected to be sworn in by the Speaker when Parliament resumes from recess.