There is a heavy police presence at Walewale as preparations are underway for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Walewale parliamentary primary re-run today [Monday, September 9].
The primary is between Dr. Mahama Tia Kabiru and the sitting Member of Parliament (MP), Hajia Lariba Zuweira.
The High Court in Tamale annulled the December 2023 results on Monday, September 2 and ordered a rerun where both candidate immediately declared their decision to contest.
Dr. Kabiru won the primary with 345 votes, beating Zuweira who polled 338 votes.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, the sitting MP filed for an injunction which was granted and later filed for an annulment which was also granted by the High Court in September.
Today’s rerun was scheduled to take place at Walewale Park but was changed to the Walewale Pentecost Church along the Tamale-Bolgatanga highway without informing the candidates, a decision that left Dr. Kabiru expressing concerns.
“This morning, my agents went to the astroturf and there was no sign of any electoral process going on there and we were informed that the venue was changed to the Pentecost Church and I find that to be most unfortunate but I want to give them the benefit of the doubt that the reason for the change is cogent.”