The Upper West Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Saanbaye Basilide Kangbere, has passed away at age 76.
The politician died today, Friday, June 7, 2024, at his residence in Adjringano, a suburb of Accra.
The death of the regional chairman was confirmed by Daniel Tanko Dauda, the Upper West Regional Secretary of the NPP.
The death of Dr. Kangbere is a big blow to the leadership of the NPP party as they prepare across the nation to ‘break the 8’ in the 2024 general election.
According to Dauda, the national leadership of the party is yet to receive an official communiqué from Dr. Kangbere’s family.
It is reported that Dr. Kangbere had been battling renal health issues for some time.
Following the death of Dr. Kangbere, Mr. Adul-Rahman Aziz, the first vice chairman of the NPP in the Upper West Region, is expected to take on the role of regional chairman.
In 2022, as the incumbent Upper West Regional Chairman of the NPP, Dr. Kangbere was re-elected after defeating his main contender, Alhaji Mahama Toyina, by a slim margin.
Dr. Kangbere received 130 votes out of a total of 242 valid votes cast, while Mr. Toyina garnered 112 votes. The first Vice Chairman position went to Mr Adul-Rahman Aziz who had 157 votes, while Mr Muhammed Aziz Gado had 84 votes to emerge second vice chairman.
As the regional chairman, the late Dr. Kangbere played a pivotal role in the Upper West Regional to ensure the party secured many seats in the region at the end of every election under his leadership.