Court bars five disputed NDC members from Nalerigu-Gambaga regional executive elections

The High Court in Nalerigu has restrained five individuals, including disputed co-opted members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Nalerigu-Gambaga Constituency, from participating in the party’s Regional Executive Elections scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026.

The ruling follows escalating internal disagreements over the selection and legitimacy of five additional members co-opted into the constituency executive committee, exposing deep divisions within the party and an increasingly bitter contest for political influence in the constituency.

Presided over by Justice Samuel Bright Acquah, the court granted an ex parte application filed by Safianu Akunloya Akukua and six others against the NDC and seven other defendants.

The plaintiffs were represented by lawyer Issaka Balima Musah.

The dispute, which has generated competing press conferences, accusations of constitutional violations and threats of legal action, is increasingly being viewed against the backdrop of a broader political rivalry between North East Regional Minister Ibrahim Tia and former Nalerigu-Gambaga MP and former Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Alhaji Baba Seidu Issifu.

The immediate disagreement centres on the selection of five additional constituency executive members and whether the process complied with the NDC Constitution.

On November 10, 2026, the Constituency Chairman and some executive members held a press conference challenging the legitimacy of a proposed list of five co-opted members.

They accused party officials of disregarding the authority of the constituency executive committee and facilitating the inclusion of individuals whose selection, they argued, had not followed the appropriate constitutional procedures.

The group maintained that the process undermined internal party democracy and threatened to demonstrate and pursue legal action if the disputed list was not withdrawn.

Their concerns also centred on the alleged involvement of the North East Regional Minister, Ibrahim Tia, in the process.

However, the constituency’s Vice Chairman, Abdulai Tahiru Yampasia, led a counter-press conference on Wednesday, November 11, alongside Deputy Secretary Ibrahim Basigi and 14 other executives.

In a statement titled “Setting the Record Straight: The Facts Behind the Co-option of Five Constituency Executive Committee Members,” the group rejected the chairman’s allegations and defended the process as constitutionally legitimate.

They alleged that the chairman and eight other executives walked out of a meeting convened on October 29 to deliberate on the co-option process.

According to them, the Vice Chairman subsequently presided over the meeting, allowing the remaining 15 members of the 24-member constituency executive committee to continue deliberations.

The 15 executives argued that they constituted a quorum under Article 50 of the NDC Constitution and unanimously agreed on the five-member list following consultations with the Regional Executive Committee.

They also disputed the chairman’s position on the geographical distribution of the five positions.

While the chairman’s side reportedly favoured three representatives from Gbintri and two from Sakogu, the 15 executives said their proposed arrangement was to allocate two positions each to Sakogu and Gbintri, with the remaining position going to Nagboo.

They cited Articles 16(1)(r), 50 and 51 of the party’s constitution to justify the process.

The group further rejected allegations of political interference by the Regional Minister, arguing that the Regional Secretary’s involvement was consistent with his responsibility to coordinate party activities.

The two press conferences exposed a deep division within the constituency executive, with both sides insisting they were defending the NDC Constitution and the interests of the party.

The bigger political battle: Ibrahim Tia versus Baba Issifu

Beyond the constitutional arguments, JoyNews has monitored that the unfolding dispute is increasingly being viewed against the backdrop of an intense political struggle for influence and control of the Nalerigu-Gambaga Constituency between North East Regional Minister Ibrahim Tia and former MP and former Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Alhaji Baba Seidu Issifu.

The rivalry between the two influential political figures has become a defining feature of the constituency’s internal political dynamics, with competing loyalties and interests increasingly reflected in disagreements among party executives.

Tensions have remained high between supporters and sympathisers of the two political heavyweights, with previous disagreements spilling into public confrontations and, at one point, violence.

In April this year, tensions within the NDC in the Nalerigu-Gambaga Constituency escalated into violence, leaving one man injured following an alleged mob attack linked to internal party disagreements.

The victim, identified as Adam Shamuna, sustained an eye injury after he was reportedly assaulted by about 15 individuals believed to be affiliated with the East Mamprusi Municipal Chief Executive.

The incident reportedly followed a heated exchange on an NDC WhatsApp platform over the distribution of fertiliser.

In an interview with JoyNews, Shamuna alleged that his attackers were sympathisers of the current MCE and the North East Regional Minister, Ibrahim Tia.

In June, another controversy over which of the two political figures was responsible for facilitating the rehabilitation of dams in Langbinsi and Nalerigu triggered further exchanges between their respective supporters.

The rivalry also played out during the party’s recent internal elections, with both camps reportedly endorsing and financing candidates for various constituency executive positions.

The outcome reflected a divided balance of power.

Candidates reportedly backed by Ibrahim Tia won the positions of Vice Chairman, Organiser, Zongo Caucus Coordinator, Women’s Organiser and Deputy Women’s Organiser.

On the other hand, candidates aligned with Alhaji Baba Issifu secured the positions of Chairman, Communications Officer, Youth Organiser and Deputy Regional Organiser.

The results highlighted the extent to which the two political camps have entrenched their influence within the constituency’s party structures.

The current disagreement between the constituency chairman and his vice chairman is therefore increasingly being interpreted within this broader contest for political control.

The controversy over the five co-opted positions has assumed significance beyond the question of who qualifies to participate in the regional elections.

The composition of the constituency executive committee determines, in part, the political influence, organisational authority and mobilisation structures available to competing factions within the party.

Control of these structures could have significant implications for future party decisions, particularly the contest for the NDC parliamentary nomination ahead of the 2028 general elections.

Although neither Ibrahim Tia nor Alhaji Baba Issifu is named as a defendant in the court proceedings, the political competition between their respective camps provides important context for understanding the intensity of the disagreement.

Court intervenes ahead of Saturday’s elections

In its November 12 ruling, the High Court said it had identified a triable issue concerning the alleged violation of the party’s constitutional provisions.

Justice Samuel Bright Acquah indicated that judicial intervention was necessary to prevent further tensions and protect the integrity of the electoral process.

“The court thinks it is necessary to intervene to forestall peace within the party… The court therefore grants the Motion Ex Parte, restraining 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Defendants from participating in the Regional Executive Elections scheduled on the 14th of November, 2026.”

The plaintiffs had argued that allowing the disputed individuals to participate in the elections would cause irreparable damage to their democratic rights and undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process.

The order was issued under the hand and seal of the High Court in Nalerigu on November 12, 2026, and signed by Registrar Mohammed Muaweya.

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