Walewale NPP Primaries: Incumbent MP Withdraws from Contest

The Member of Parliament for Walewale Constituency, Hajia Lariba Abudu, has backed down from the Parliamentary primary re-run race of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In a statement on September 10, a day after the re-run was marred by vote-counting disruption, she indicated that her decision was for the “greater good” of the party.

“Following the inconclusive re-run of the parliamentary primary in the Walewale constituency yesterday (with the Electoral Commission unable to declare results as a result of an unfortunate incident), I have decided that, in the interest of the greater good of the new patriotic party, peace and unity in the Walewale constituency, I will no longer be a candidate for MP in the 2024 elections. I am therefore formally withdrawing from the contest.”

She is, however, determined to help the NPP win massively in the upcoming election.

“I would like to thank the party for the honour done me in representing my constituency over the last four years and can assure the party of my continued support in the 2024 election campaign.”

Her decision therefore paves the way for her contender, Dr Kabiru Mahama, to lead the party as the Parliamentary candidate in the December polls.

Rerun
The rerun of the election was ordered by the Tamale High Court after Hajia Lariba contested the result of the primary which took place earlier this year.

On Monday, September 9, 2024, during the counting of the ballots after a smooth voting process, a man identified by the police as Kamara Bawah snatched away some ballot papers and destroyed some in the process.

Though he was later arrested by the police with the papers retrieved, the Electoral Commission declared the election null.

“The suspect is in custody assisting Police investigation. Security has since been strengthened within Walewale and its environs to ensure law and order,” the police said in a statement.