Prof Alidu to be declared winner

Tamale Central By-Election: Professor Seidu to Be Declared MP Unopposed

September 22, 2025 

The Electoral Commission (EC) has confirmed that Professor Alidu Seidu will be declared the duly elected Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tamale Central constituency after no other candidates filed to contest in the upcoming by-election.

The decision follows the close of the extended nomination deadline on Sunday, September 21, at 5:00 PM. Despite reopening the process for ten days, no political party or independent aspirant submitted forms to challenge Professor Seidu.

Northern Regional Director of the EC, Lucas Yiryil, told 3News.com that with only one candidate remaining, a traditional election will not be held. Instead, the Commission will issue a formal communiqué to officially declare Professor Seidu as the MP for Tamale Central.

“This is a rare occurrence in Ghana’s electoral history,” Mr. Yiryil noted, emphasizing that the Commission acted in line with constitutional requirements to ensure fairness and transparency.

The by-election was triggered by the death of incumbent MP, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, on August 6, 2025. Following his passing, the EC declared the Tamale Central seat vacant on August 19 and initiated the process for a replacement as mandated by the 1992 Constitution.

Initially, three candidates filed to contest the seat, but two later withdrew, leaving Professor Seidu as the sole contender. To encourage broader participation, the EC reopened nominations, but no new candidates stepped forward.

With the process concluded, Professor Seidu will now assume the role of MP without a vote being cast.