The Tamale High Court has mandated a re-run of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primary for the Walewale constituency. This decision, delivered by Justice Richard Kogyapwah, comes at a critical time, just a week before parliamentary and presidential aspirants must file their nominations for the upcoming December 7 elections. The full judgment is set to be read on September 12, 2024.
The controversy surrounding the Walewale primary began earlier this year when Dr. Mahama Tia Kabiru, a 35-year-old PhD holder and Vice Presidential special advisor, narrowly defeated the incumbent Member of Parliament, Hajia Lariba Zuweratu, by a mere seven votes. Following the election, Hajia Lariba contested the results, alleging significant electoral irregularities, including the participation of deceased delegates and vote buying. She filed an ex parte motion at the Tamale High Court, which resulted in an injunction preventing Dr. Kabiru from presenting himself as the elected candidate.
In her legal challenge, Hajia Lariba sought to annul the election results, claiming that the process was marred by misconduct. The court’s ruling confirmed her allegations, stating that the election was fraught with irregularities such as the declaration of results by an unauthorized individual, overvoting, and violations of electoral rules. Consequently, the court deemed the January election results null and void, ordering a re-run of the primary to ensure a fair electoral process.
This ruling poses significant implications for the NPP, particularly as the Walewale constituency is the home base of the party’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Supporters of the NPP have expressed concerns that unresolved disputes could jeopardize the party’s performance in the upcoming general elections. They have called for swift intervention from party leadership to address these issues and maintain electoral integrity.
The NPP is now required to conduct the re-run of the primary in accordance with electoral laws. As the party prepares for the December elections, the focus will be on resolving internal conflicts and ensuring a united front to enhance their chances at the polls. The full judgment detailing the court’s findings and rationale will be available on September 12, 2024, providing further insights into the legal proceedings that led to this significant ruling.
