The Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) announced its withdrawal from the Tamale Central by-election as an act of solidarity with its founder, Kofi Akpaloo, who was in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
According to the General Secretary of the opposition party, Mr. Jerry Owusu Apaw, the LPG’s candidate had already filed to contest in the September 30, 2025 by-election.
However, the party decided to withdraw following Mr. Kofi Akpaloo’s arrest.
Mr. Akpaloo is under investigation by EOCO in connection with alleged financial crimes, including fraud, money laundering, and the dissipation of public funds.
The politician had remained in custody as officials from the LPG were reportedly inspecting the bail conditions, (Ghc 10 million with two sureties) with his release which was expected soon after the process is completed.
In an interview with Nyankonton Mu Yon on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr. Apaw stated that the party’s leadership made the collective decision to withdraw from the race.
“It is true that the LPG has withdrawn from the race. It was a decision reached by the leadership of the party. We held a meeting and informed our candidate, Ibrahim Hafiz, who had already filed to contest. We had shown interest and asked our candidate to contest. He had been our candidate since 2020, but because of the arrest of our leader, Mr. Akpaloo, we decided to withdraw. We agreed it was better to opt out and show solidarity with our leader, who is currently in custody. Without his support, it would not have been proper for us to contest.”
The by-election, scheduled for September 30, 2025, follows the death of the late Member of Parliament, Dr. Murtala Mohammed, who was one of the victims of the August 6, 2025 helicopter crash.
Consequently, Kofi Akpaloo has been released from EOCO’s custody this evening after having met and satisfied the required bail conditions set by the anti corruption agency.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has confirmed that both the LPG and PNC candidates, who had completed the filing process on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, officially withdrew from the race.
SOURCE: Rainbow Radio
