Tamale High Court orders a re-run of NPP Walewale parliamentary primary

The Tamale High Court presided over by Justice Richard Marc Kogyapwah, has issued an order for the re-run of the disputed New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries election for the Walewale constituency.

The judge, who is yet to deliver the fully written judgement, has instructed the second defendant and third defendant to conduct the re-run in accordance with electoral laws.

However, Samson Lardy Anyenini, legal counsel for the first defendant, expressed disappointment with the court’s judgment.

He stated that the decision is unexpected, as he believes that individuals who engage in illegal activities should not benefit from them.

Anyenini revealed that the plaintiff is alleged to have engaged in the manipulation of deceased delegates and vote buying, and therefore should not be allowed to benefit from these actions.

Background

On June 2024, the Tamale High Court placed an injunction on Dr Mahama Tia Kabiru restraining him from holding himself as the elected parliamentary candidate of the New Patriotic Party for the Walewale constituency in the North East Region.

The ruling by Justice Richard Kugyapaw followed a challenge to the election results by the incumbent Member of Parliament, Hajia Lariba Zuweratu.

In January this year, Dr Kabiru, a 35-year-old PhD holder and Vice Presidential special advisor, narrowly defeated Hajia Lariba in a tightly contested primary.

The election, conducted under heavy security with the presence of regional and constituency executives, saw Dr Kabiru winning with 345 votes to Hajia Lariba’s 338 votes.

Hajia Lariba quickly rejected the election outcome and filed an ex parte motion at the Tamale High Court, alleging electoral irregularities and malpractice by the party, Dr Kabiru, and the Electoral Commission.

She sought an injunction to prevent Dr Kabiru from holding himself as the winner, which was eventually granted.

Source:Starrfm.com.gh