Dr. Tiah Abdul-Kabiru Mahama and Lariba Zuweira Abudu
Some New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters in the Walewale Constituency have lamented over the lack of a parliamentary candidate (PC) for the party four months into the December 7 general election.
The NPP supporters believe that the lack of a parliamentary candidate will affect their chances of retaining the Walewale seat for the party.
“Our opponent, the NDC, are campaigning seriously in Walewale but we are here fighting ourselves in court instead of campaigning ahead of the 2024 elections.
“It will be an embarrassment if the NPP loses this seat in the hometown of the party’s flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,” the NPP supporters pointed out.
They appealed to the party at the national level to intervene and resolve the matter, to enable their parliamentary candidate commence campaign.
The incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Walewale Constituency and former Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Lariba Zuweira Abudu, proceeded to the Tamale High Court to contest the results declared at the NPP parliamentary primary in the Walewale Constituency.
The Technical Advisor to the Vice President, Dr. Tiah Abdul-Kabiru Mahama, polled 343 votes, beating the incumbent MP who obtained 334 votes.
Other aspirants, Tahiru Shaman (Veron) secured 145 votes, while Mahama Jangdow managed with 1 vote.
Subsequently, Justice Richard Kogyapwah of the Tamale High Court granted a plea by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to resolve the issues related to the Walewale Constituency parliamentary primary out of court.
The NPP noted that settling the case out of court will be the best way to sustain peace and unity in the party ahead of the 2024 general election.
However, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) could not resolve the matter between the parties, resulting in the continuation of the case at the Tamale High Court.
The Tamale High Court has since ordered Madam Lariba Zuweira Abudu and Dr. Tiah Abdul-Kabiru Mahama not to hold themselves as NPP parliamentary candidates for the Walewale Constituency until the finality of the case.
During court proceedings on August 14, 2024, Samson Lardy Anyenini, Counsel for Dr. Tiah Abdul-Kabiru Mahama, prayed the court to grant his client time to study the register used for the NPP Walewale primary.
Counsel for Madam Lariba Zuweira Abudu, Sylvester Isang, prayed the court not to grant the request to Dr. Tiah Abdul-Kabiru Mahama, adding that it’s an attempt to delay the progress of the case.
Justice Richard Kogyapwah granted the request of Dr. Tiah Abdul-Kabiru Mahama.
The case has been adjourned to August 19, 2024 for commencement of case management and trial.
BY Eric Kombat