Prof. Alidu Seidu denies role in withdrawal of PNC, LPG candidates

NDC parliamentary candidate for the Tamale Central by-election, Prof. Alidu Seidu, has dismissed suggestions that he or his party played a role in the withdrawal of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) candidates from the race.

Seidu stated, “I don’t have a hand in it. No one told me they had negotiated with somebody or something happened. I filed in the morning but I didn’t even know there were candidates”.

“I think it was later on around 4pm to 5pm then I heard that two more people have filed from PNC and LPG.”

He added that he could not determine what might have influenced their decision to step aside.

“I’m not sure what might have motivated these two candidates, who earlier filed ,to pull out. I have read some of the statements, and I think it speaks to the same circumstances of Dr. Murtala’s death but also personal reasons,” he said.

Prof. Seidu regarded the withdrawals as a pragmatic move.

“We don’t have to run an election which is very obvious who might win. So, I think it is a good decision and I applaud them, considering the circumstances but also their chances of winning when we have the election,” he said on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

His remarks came after the PNC and LPG candidates formally announced their decisions to step down ahead of the September 30 by-election.

The LPG candidate explained, “After broad consultations and deep reflection, I have decided to withdraw my candidature from the Tamale Central by-election. This is in the best interest of our party and the democratic process”.

Similarly, the PNC candidate declared, “Tamale Central has long been an NDC seat. While we believe in the ideals of the PNC, we must also be realistic and focus our energies where victory is possible. For that reason, I am stepping down”.