Political Scientist, Dr. Alli Nyaaba has said the outcome of the recent Akwatia by-election has set a precedent that could influence future by-elections, potentially tilting the results in favor of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Commenting on the political dynamics in Tamale Central, in an interview on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Dr. Nyaaba stated: “The Tamale trend will not change that much. It is not likely to flip unless there is very serious and unusual complacency on the part of the NDC. It will be difficult for the NPP to wrestle that seat from the NDC.”
He cautioned political parties against complacency, urging them to take decisive action or risk setbacks that may be difficult to recover from. He emphasized the need for parties to reflect, restructure, and reconnect with voters.
“Political parties must be wary of complacency, especially when it comes to doing the right things for the people who voted you into power. You should never take those people for granted. Whatever you are supposed to do as their representative, take it seriously and stick to it. Just one moment of complacency can drag you back several miles, and it takes even more effort to recover what you’ve lost.”
Dr. Nyaaba described the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) loss in Akwatia as painful but predictable, citing the party’s lack of reorganization following the 2024 general elections.
“If you look at the NPP, especially in the lead-up to candidate selection in January, they haven’t reorganized themselves in a way that presents a credible opposition after their 2024 defeat. Internal politics has prevented them from functioning as a unified force. That made the outcome in Akwatia quite predictable, especially considering the margins from the previous election.”
He further noted that over the past six to eight months, many Ghanaians appear generally satisfied with the current government’s performance, which could strengthen the NDC’s position heading into future contests.
