The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has expressed gratitude to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for announcing its withdrawal from the upcoming Tamale Central by-election.

He, however, cautioned prospective aspirants not to rush the process of selecting a successor to the late Dr. Murtala Mohammed.

The NPP, on Monday, August 11, 2025, declared that it would not field a candidate in the race following the tragic death of Tamale Central’s Member of Parliament, Dr. Mohammed, in the August 6 helicopter crash.

Dr. Mohammed’s passing has created a vacancy in the constituency, triggering preparations for a by-election as required by the constitution.

The NPP explained that its decision to step aside was to help avoid further political divisions during a period of national mourning.

Reacting to the development on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, during the Adua funeral rite for the late MP, Mr. Asiedu Nketia urged NDC members to avoid internal conflicts over the seat.

“We thank our brothers in the NPP for declaring that they will not contest us in Tamale Central. Now the challenge is ours — whether we will fight among ourselves over who should replace Murtala. On behalf of the party, I want to say, let us not rush in choosing his successor,” he said.

Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, died alongside Dr Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister of Defence, and three other high officials and three servicemen.