#ElectionEye: Race for Tamale North – Suhuyini Confident of Victory Despite Stiff Opposition

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The race for the Tamale North parliamentary seat is intensifying as incumbent MP Alhassan Suhuyini faces stiff competition from Abdul Rahman Alidu Abreh of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and independent candidate Fauziya Hudu.

Suhuyini, who has represented the constituency since 2016, is seeking a third term amid mounting challenges.

A stronghold of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) since its creation, Tamale North has consistently delivered victories for the party in both presidential and parliamentary elections.

Strategically located, it borders Tamale Central to the north, Tolon to the west, and Sagnarigu to the northwest, making it a vital political hub in Northern Ghana.

Data from Channel One’s Research Unit confirms the NDC’s dominance in the constituency. In 2016, Alhassan Suhuyini won decisively with 21,280 votes (67.79%) against the NPP’s Kulsumi Mohammed, who garnered 5,329 votes (16.98%).

In 2020, Suhuyini retained his seat with 26,518 votes (64.67%), while the NPP’s Alhassan Dahamani secured 14,256 votes (34.76%).

As the 2024 elections approach, the three candidates are actively campaigning, each presenting their vision to the constituency’s approximately 50,000 registered voters.

Alhassan Suhuyini remains optimistic about his reelection bid, citing his track record and alignment with the vision of NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama.

“I sought this mandate 8 years ago at the same time the sitting government was also elected. I can say that some significant interventions in the constituency are not comparable. The people are grateful for the interventions we have made in the areas of health, education, sanitation, youth empowerment and women empowerment.

“The little that we’ve been able to do with the little resources available to a member of parliament has been appreciated. And I’m confident that they will renew my mandate and hopefully, this time around give John Dramani Mahama and the NDC to form the next government. I first contested in this constituency in 2016 and I’ve defeated both the NPP and independent candidates before and so both of them are not a threat to me at all.”

Meanwhile, independent candidate Fauziya Hudu has positioned herself as a transformative leader with strong local and international connections.

She has promised massive development if elected, stating that the constituency deserves better representation.

Madam Fauziya remains undeterred by the stiff competition from Suhuyini and Abreh, reiterating her determination to serve the constituency.

“I have networks both international and local and when I’m given the nod, I am the right person to do a lot of things for Tamale North. First of all, I want to change a lot of this for Tamale North, we have sanitation problems, we have health problems, we have jobs problems, we have road problems, infrastructure, security, and a lot of things I can name till tomorrow.

“It’s been 3 years since I came back to Tamale and every day people come to my office with different problems so when given the nod I’ll do a lot of things because for me I don’t see [party] colours. I am the only woman and I’m in the middle of two strong parties whether you want it or not, NDC NPP.

“But honestly speaking I don’t see them as a threat, I have confidence in myself, and I know what I want to do so I don’t even feel I’m going on a contest, I feel I’m just working to reach a goal which is to become the MP for Tamale north.”

The NPP’s candidate, Abdul Rahman Alidu Abreh, has launched a strong campaign, describing Suhuyini as “alien” to the constituency and promising to bring change.

“I don’t feel any iota of fear in me with regards to this contest, because the truth is that the current MP is not even from this constituency. It’s just by virtue of his party engaging in certain acts by taking the rightful contestants from their party off and bringing him from Tamale Central to Tamale North to contest, that he is not a grounded person in the constituency.

“This electoral area is the area I was born, the “Ward K” electoral area I virtually grew up in the areas. That’s my paternal side so it’s well grounded. And my maternal side, you see the largest electoral area- the Choggu electoral area, Kanvili electoral area, Nyanshegu electoral area that’s my maternal side too.

“So that’s the reason you’re hearing that there is going to be a change in Tamale North with regards to the MPship, it’s because of this family relations, these friends and it’s because of the good works I’m doing for the people here. That is why all this is happening.”

Constituents of Tamale North have shared mixed views on the upcoming election, reflecting a blend of loyalty to the incumbent and a desire for change.

According to Inusah Salman-Faris, “Hon Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini is the best candidate for the good people of Tamale North constituency and we keep saying. In the previous elections, the votes that we won were almost 68-69% and it’s our hope that this year we’re giving the NDC 80-85% of the votes cast in the constituency

“He stands tall among all the aspirants, talking about his good works and what he is bringing on board is the same as what the NDC is bringing on board. Just look at what he has done even though in opposition. We keep saying in the constituency that what Hon Suhuyini has done in his 8year mandate when you take the two MCEs for the Sagnarigu municipal assembly (Hon Mariam and now Hon Polo) and you take the two regional ministers (Hon S.S and Alhaji Saani) and you take Nana Akuffo Addo, the five of them what they have done in Tamale north constituency, Hon Suhuyini has done more than what they have done in the constituency.

“If they so wish they should come for us to debate for the good people know what the MP has done and what they have done, which they can not come near.”

Alhaji Abdallah Mohammed, the NPP constituency secretary in Tamale North said, “Though three candidates are contesting, for now, we’re looking at the NDC failed member of parliament for Tamale North.

“He is not fit because he has lost touch with the good people of Tamale North constituency. He has completely neglected the basic needs of the people of the constituency, water and other social amenities. So are some of the reasons why I think the people of Tamale North have come to realize that he is not somebody who can represent us for our interests.

“So on this call, I believe sincerely that our current member of parliament is absolutely and completely not fit to continue as the member of parliament for Tamale North and the people are all yearning and waiting patiently for December 7, to vote massively for Alhaji Alidu Abdul Rahman as our next member of parliament.”